A high-profile murder case, a reshaped political landscape and stepped-up action against illegal coal extraction defined Meghalaya’s news cycle this year, alongside sustained pushes on connectivity, education and tourism.The most widely followed case was the killing of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, allegedly orchestrated by his wife with accomplices. The investigation drew national attention, with the Meghalaya Police arresting multiple accused and filing a detailed charge sheet. Officials described it as among the most resource-intensive probes in recent years, citing extensive financial tracking and interstate coordination with agencies in Madhya Pradesh. The case also fed broader debate on policing capacity in high-visibility investigations.
Politics saw a clear realignment. The Voice of the People Party consolidated its rise after winning its first Lok Sabha seat in 2024 by defeating three-term Congress MP Vincent H Pala in Shillong. The party followed this with a sweep of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council elections and formed the executive committee early in the year, signalling its transition from agitation to administration in urban Khasi–Jaintia areas. The Congress continued to recede. Its lone remaining MLA, Ronnie V Lyngdoh, resigned and joined the ruling National People’s Party, a move recognised under the anti-defection law that left the Congress without representation in the 60-member Assembly. Governance churn followed a major cabinet reshuffle in September.
Eight ministers resigned and eight were inducted as the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance recalibrated coalition representation across the NPP, UDP, HSPDP and BJP. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma retained finance and cabinet affairs, while both deputy chief ministers held portfolios linked to home, public works and urban infrastructure. Sangma said the changes were made after consultations to ensure “balanced regional representation across districts”. The government framed connectivity and youth-linked investment as fiscal priorities. Road upgrades, skill development programmes and tourism infrastructure received funding, while beautification drives continued in Shillong alongside appeals for traffic discipline. Judicial nudges also pressed land acquisition tied to an airport proposal, with a Rs 50-crore package approved to revive an airfield in the western region to improve air access.