YEAR ENDER 2019: Pain, anger, joy, suffering – Meghalaya has felt it all!
SHILLONG | Dec 31, 2019:
The year 2019 witnessed a incidents and events which rocked Meghalaya. From the sudden demise of the former Assembly Speaker, (L) Dr Donkupar Roy and Shillong Archbishop (L) Rev Dominic Jala to violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 and of course the perennial political instability.
2019 in Review:
CAB/CAA Protests
The year 2019 started and ended with agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. Earlier this year, when the Central government tried to introduce the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha, the entire Northeast and its respective chief ministers had raised their opposition against the bill causing it to lapse in the RS.
And in December when the bill was re-introduced in the Parliament after deliberations with the CMs of Northeast including the other stakeholders, CAB was passed by both the Houses in the Parliament amid protests in the northeastern states. The people of Northeast continue to oppose the bill though their several MPs and CMs of the NE states including Meghalaya were in favour of the bill.
The decision of the NPP MP from Tura, Agatha Sangma to support the bill has angered the people of Meghalaya triggering protests and agitations across the hilly state. In view of the growing protest against the CAA, a section of Shillong city was subjected to curfew besides temporary shut-down of internet throughout the State. During the protest rally to oppose the CAA organized by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), as many as 63 people were injured following a clash with the police personnel.
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Demand for ILP grows louder
The demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit under the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation, 1873 resurfaced after the Centre decided to implement ILP in Manipur. The prominent pressure groups in the State are demanding the implementation of ILP as a mechanism to fight against the problem of illegal immigration and influx and also to counter the CAA. The implementation of ILP would also mean that Meghalaya would get total exemption from the purview of the CAA. As of now, only the Schedule Areas of the State are exempted from the Act.
Meghalaya Assembly adopts resolution on ILP
In view of the pressure from the various pressure groups, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on December 19 unanimously adopted a resolution to urge upon the Centre to implement ILP in the State. The State Government is expected to meet Union Home Minister, Amit Shah after the New Year to apprise him on the resolution adopted by the Assembly.
MRSSA given more teeth; Ordinance awaits Governor's approval
In the fight against influx and illegal immigrants, the NPP led MDA Government had also approved an ordinance of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act which will make it mandatory for people who intends to visit the State to register themselves with the State Government. But the ordinance is yet to get the approval of the Governor.
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Gone too Soon
The State has lost one of its political stalwarts and former Assembly Speaker, Dr Donkupar Roy, who had expired on July 28 at the age of 64. The demise of Dr Roy who represented Shella constituency for the seven consecutive terms is an irreparable lost for the regional forces in the State.
The state also lost the Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dominic Jala, who was killed in a fatal road accident at Colusa County, California, USA on October 12. Rev Jala was born on July 12, 1951, at Mawlai. He made his first profession as a Salesian on May 24, 1968 and on May 24 , 1975 made his Final Profession. He was elected as the Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese and his Episcopal Ordination was held on April 2, 2000.
The KHADC lost its sitting MDC of the UDP from Langrin constituency, Nassar Marweiñ who passed away on October 28.
Politics
Balajied Kupar Synrem elected as Shella MLA
Following the demise of former Assembly Speaker, Dr Donkupar Roy, the Shella seat, which he had represented for 7 consecutive terms, fell vacant and a by-poll was necessitated. Dr Roy's son, Balajied Synrem who contested from UDP ticket had won the bye-election of Shella constituency by defeating his nearest rival and independent candidate, Grace Mary Kharpuri by 6221 votes.
Meghalaya gets new Speaker
Following the demise of Dr Roy, Tourism Minister and UDP president, Metbah Lyngdoh was elected as the new Assembly Speaker.
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LS polls and ADCs polls
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha general elections and the election to the two Autonomous District Councils- Khasi Hills Autonomous District Councils and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils- were also held this year.
While the BJP led NDA allies managed to retain power at the Centre, the two Parliamentary seats in the State were won by the Congress and the Nationalist People's Party. Sitting MP and Congress candidate for the Shillong Parliamentary seat, Vincent H Pala defeated United Democratic Party, Jemino Mawthoh by 1,52,433 votes. NPP Agatha K Sangma won the Tura Parliamentary seat by defeating former Chief Minister and Congress candidate, Dr Mukul Sangma by 64,030 votes.
Coming to the Autonomous District Councils' elections, the National People's Party (NPP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) has managed to do outstanding well in both the KHADC and JHADC as compared to the Congress. The NPP and UDP with the support of other allies of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) formed the Executive Committee in both the KHADC and JHADC.
Political instability in KHADC
Meanwhile, within seven months of its formation, the UDP-led Executive Committee of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the KHADC was toppled after five of its members of the alliance including the chairman of the Council, Pynshngaiñ N Syiem had voted in favour of the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition Congress.
Following the toppling of the EC, the MDCs who defected from the UDA along with the MDCs of the Congress had formed the United Democratic Front (UDF). Nongthymmai MDC, Latiplang Kharkongor was elected as the new CEM in the absence of the MDCs of the UDA on the day of election. Meanwhile, the State Government had refused to notify the election of Kharkongor as the new CEM.
The State Government, on the other hand, recommended the imposition of Administrator Rule in the KHADC in view of the political instability in the Council. However, former Governor, Tathagata Roy refused to approve the imposition of AR in the Council. The State Government for the second time again recommended the imposition of AR in the KHADC. But till now, the Governor is yet to approve the imposition of AR in the KHADC. Even after the recommendations of AR, the political equation in the Council changed with the UDA currently claiming that they are in the majority by having support of the 16 MDCs.
Nagaland Guv RN Ravi sworn-in as Governor-designate of Meghalaya
Nagaland Governor, Ravindra Narayana Ravi took oath as the Governor-designate of Meghalaya on December 17. Ravi would discharge the functions of the governor of Meghalaya "in addition to his own duties, during the absence of leave" of Tathagata Roy. However, it looks like Roy had been asked to take leave by the Centre after making a controversial remarks few days back when he tweeted that those who do not want "divisive democracy should go to North Korea."
Supreme Court Landmark Judgment on NGT Ban on Coal Mining
The Supreme Court on July this year had set aside the National Green Tribunal's ban on coal mining in Meghalaya with the caveat that mining can take place with a mining plan in place and in compliance with the Central Mining Act. The order underlined the ownership rights of the tribal population of the State over their land. It said that subject to compliance of the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR), 1957, and with a mining plan in place, the tribal population can go ahead with coal mining. Welcoming the decision of the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had termed the judgment "victory of the people, especially the tribal community".
Century-old church gutted in fire in Shillong
A 119-year-old building of the Church of God at Qualapatty in Shillong was gutted in a massive fire leaving two elderly persons dead in the wee hours of November 17. The 'Church of God' is one of the oldest churches in the State.
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Fight against Drugs
Meanwhile, the Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) of several districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills had launched massive drive against drugs. The ANTF teams have managed to seize drugs consignments worth crore of rupees which were destined for Shillong besides arresting a large number of people. The efforts of the ANTF teams have kept a check on the flow of drug consignment into the city. It may be mentioned that the dry market caused by constant raids had prompted drug smugglers to cheat and dupe its customers selling grind rice and fruit powders instead of drugs.
Flesh Trade
The Special Investigation Team of West Jaiñtia Hills District had managed to expose the flesh trade in the district. The West Jaintia Hills police rescued several young girls between the age of 14 to 16 yrs, who were victims of human trafficking, from various localities of Jowai town in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. The Police also arrested several people who were allegedly involved in a flesh trade.
22 Nigerians arrested in Jaintia Hills
Around 22 Nigerian nationals was arrested for illegally crossing over from Bangladesh into India. They were arrested from East and West Jaintia Hills. These African nationals, mostly Nigerians, entered India illegally after spending their days in Bangladesh. Authorities in India suspect that these persons are helped by locals on either side of the international border. Police believe Nigerians are entering India illegally through the international border with Bangladesh due to stricter visa norms enforced by New Delhi in recent times.
KSU Leader Arrested
The president of the North Khasi Hills unit of the Khasi Students Union (KSU), Ferdynald Kharkamni was arrested on November 18 after evading arrest for more than a month. A look-out notice was issued against Kharkamni for barging into the Umiam Police Station and assaulting the Officer-in-Charge and another head constable on October 1. He is, however, out on bail.
Phantom aka Massage Man did it again!
One of the notorious criminals, Phantom alias Massage man (Bah Jyllud) had given police the slip yet again on March this year. Habitual offender David Lyngdoh managed to flee away from the high-security East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner's office. Phatom was finally arrested from Madanrting area while he was entering a cyber café.
Ram Nath Kovind attended NEHU Convocation
President Ram Nath Kovind attended the 26th convocation of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong, Meghalaya on November 04 where 14,502 students were conferred with degrees. This was the President's first visit to Meghalaya since assuming office.
