ILP cases
SHILLONG: The fate of Special Court constituted by the Government to try ILP related cases hangs in balance with Government announcing talks with the pro-ILP pressure groups on January 15.
The Special Court headed by First Class Judicial Magistrate R Rymbai began hearing on December 3 on the damage suit of over Rs 31 crore to be recovered from 14 organizations for loss of property during the ILP-related agitations based on the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act and the Supreme Court order banning bandhs.
An official dealing with the case said that the new date for the hearing of the special court is yet to be known as the court is on a holiday.
During the first hearing, out of the 14 pressure groups, only the CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing and general secretary E Thabah appeared before the court seeking more time to reply to the charges.
The special court had issued notices to the pressure groups on November 7 to appear before the court on December 3 last.
As the scheduled talks on January 15 may lead to a consensus on the ways and means to address the issue of influx, indications are that the pressure groups will urge Government to drop the cases against those who were arrested during the ILP-related agitation.
The political affairs department is yet to get any intimation from Government on any move to drop charges against the pressure groups.