Shillong, Dec 30: The year 2024 was not pleasant for both the NPP and the Congress.
While the NPP could not retain Tura Lok Sabha seat, the party did not make any impact in Shillong too.
The consolation for the Congress was securing the Tura seat though its candidate Vincent Pala lost the Shillong seat to VPP.
However, the NPP increased its tally in the Assembly after three Congress MLAs joined the party.
Issues lingered
Beyond politics, the issues lingered in the year were Harijan Colony, recognition to Khasi language, ILP, Shillong-Tura medical colleges, boundary dispute, expansion of Shillong airport and traffic snarl among others.
The High Court of Meghalaya had taken up many of these issues.
Controversies & road construction scam
The move by a cow protection group to impose a ban on beef, desecration of Mawlynnong church by an individual and issues related to worship in a cave in Mawsynram created controversies spilling over to New Year.
The demand for removal of NEHU VC PS Shukla and the subsequent probe by a Central team to look into the irregularities in NEHU.
The state government had filed a complaint with the police against the contractors and companies which executed the work and goverment officials of Public Works Department (PWD) for alleged misuse of Rs 2366.77 crore for the construction of Shillong- Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road.
Later, the police handed over the case to the CID.
Law and order problems
In the first quarter of 2024, killing of two workers in Ichamati, East Khasi Hills and another in Mawlai Mawroh in the city by the members of a pressure group has marred peace in Shillong.
The stand off between Khasi Hills tourist taxi associations and the government had also resulted in minor incidents of driving away tourists from Khasi Hills.
Flood brought misery to GH
Fifteen persons were killed in flood in three districts of Garo Hills in October.
The rain-induced flood had also caused large-scale damages to bridges and roads.
Durand Cup and festivals
Meghalaya hosted Durand Cup and several international concerts during the year.
There were many government-sponsored festivals in 2004 compared to the past.
The state also got new Chief Justice and Governor in 2024.
A major achievement was the functioning of Williamson Sangma State University after a Vice Chancellor was appointed.
