SHILLONG, Dec 26 - The year 2015 most likely would be etched in public memory due to the demise of former President APJ Abdul Kalam here in the State Capital and Meghalaya High Court�s order restraining the media from reporting bandhs and hartals in Meghalaya.
Kalam who was guest lecturer at Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, collapsed and later passed away at a local hospital. His demise was mourned globally.
The year also witnessed the demise of former Union Minister Patty Ripple Kyndiah, Hill State People�s Democratic Party president, Hoping Stone Lyngdoh and another Congress leader, Friday Lyngdoh.
Meghalaya High Court ordered this year that the media mustn�t carry any news related to bandh calls and also hartals, road blockades. The Court warned that anyone defying the order would face Contempt of Court.
The order did have its impact and for the first time Independence Day was celebrated by the people in the State Capital without any bandh calls of militant outfits being reported by any media houses.
However, the militancy situation in Garo Hills remained grim. There have been numerous killings, kidnappings and extortion demands in the region. Meghalaya High Court taking cognisance of these killings, extortion and kidnappings asked Centre to consider deployment of Army in the region.
However, there has been a general feeling amongst the public, political parties and also Meghalaya Government that deploying Army may not be the solution to the festering militancy problem.
The year also witnessed the mysterious entry of former MP and joint secretary general of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Salahuddin Ahmed in the State Capital in a disoriented state from across the International border.
He was subsequently arrested and is now out on bail. His trial with regards to illegal entry into India under Foreigners� Act is on in the Court.
The year also witnessed several public meetings organised by traditional heads and Institutions demanding from the Government that they be empowered through legislations so that the powers they enjoyed may not be curtailed.
On the political front, the National People�s Party wrested power from the ruling Congress in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council polls. NPP during the polls won 10 seats, the Congress seven. BJP opened its account for the first time by winning a single seat during the elections.
Meghalaya Assembly passed the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Bill, 2015, with the objective to bar MLAs from holding dual post of an MDC in the Autonomous District Councils.
