Arson cases: Court order
SHILLONG: The Special Court, which was set up by the state Government to try ILP-related arson cases, has issued a directive asking the concerned department to issue notices to all the pro-ILP groups to respond to various charges.
An official source said that notices will be served to all the pro-ILP groups shortly for the loss of property, both public and private, during their agitations demanding implementation of ILP.
The State Government in its petition filed on October 15 before the special court headed by First Class Judicial Magistrate R Rymbai mentioned that there was a loss of over Rs 31 core during the agitation of pro-ILP groups.
At present there are at least 14 organisations which are demanding implementation of ILP in the State.
Among the NGOs, notices will be issued to both the factions of CSWO headed by Agnes Kharshiing and Irene Hujon as there is lack of clarity on which group is supporting the agitations, an official said.
The State Government depended on the MMPO Act to strengthen the case against the NGOs who are agitating for the implementation of ILP.
As per the Act, arrested persons will be imprisoned for three to seven years and they will also be liable to compensate the Government, public and private citizens for the damages incurred during the agitations.
The State Government in its petition also referred to the ruling of the Supreme Court and the Gauhati High Court which had banned bandhs and other forms of agitations.