Police yet to complete probe into Nandwal murder case
SHILLONG: The State Government revealed on Thursday that it incurred a loss of Rs 25.94 crore in terms of salary to its employees, including teachers, during the agitations in 2013 called by 14 pressure groups demanding implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya.
The loss was highlighted in the deposition made before the Special Court dealing with ILP-related case by Commissioner and Secretary of the Personnel Department L. Diengdoh on Thursday.
Diengdoh said from September 2 to 23, 2013, office picketing, night blockades and bandhs called by the pressure groups had led to disruption in the functioning of offices, public transport and schools, among others.
Due to prolonged agitation, the attendance fell sharply resulting in loss of working hours, and it also affected government revenue and earnings of the common man, Diengdoh said.
Sanjay Goyal, the current State Finance Secretary who was the then East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, said in his deposition before the court that in the district alone, the loss incurred was Rs 1.25 crore.
Goyal also reminded that three persons who lost their lives and their properties destroyed during the agitation were Vidyadevi Chokani of Police Bazar, Bikash Nandwal of Motphran and Bishweshwar Das of Bishnupur.
According to the deposition made by the outgoing East Khasi Hills SP, M. Kharkrang, while cases related to Chokani and Das were charge sheeted, investigation was still on regarding the case of Nandwal of Motphran.
The police official said most of the cases related to destruction of property have been charge sheeted.
All the three officials said no gain was obtained on the agitating agenda of the pressure groups and rather it only caused loss of lives and property.
They also said agitations were against the judicial pronouncements of the Supreme Court and various High Courts.
Besides the deposition of three officers, All India Garo Union (AIGU) president Elbarth Marak and his counsel K. Sunar appeared before the court during Thursday’s hearing.
AIGU and Civil Society Women’s Organisation are the only two pressure groups which are contesting the case.