Court solace for Langpih victims’ kin
SHILLONG: The Division Bench of High Court of Meghalaya has directed Assam Government to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the four widows of Langpih villagers who were killed in firing by Assam police on May 14, 2010.
The amount will have to be disbursed to the victims within next three months.
The four villagers who were killed in the police firing were Dennis Nongsiej, Ekrose Rani, Charles Lyngkhoi and Columbus Hoojon.
The Justice (retd) PC Phukan Inquiry Commission in the probe report had held Platoon Commander of Assam Police, Prem Singh Limbu responsible for the ‘excessive and unjustified firing’ without a warning which resulted in the death of four villagers. 12 others were injured in the incident.
Earlier, Rs 6 lakh each was paid to the widows, Glotilda Syiem, Ledina Sohshang, Pairen Rynniaw and Makdalena Langte. Both Assam and Meghalaya had shared Rs 3 lakh each to make it Rs 6 lakh as ex-gratia amount.
As a follow up, four writ petitions were filed by the widows in the High Court of Meghalaya seeking adequate compensation for them.
Advocate H.L Shangreiso, the Counsel appearing for the writ petitioners said that the “High Court awarded the compensation for unconstitutionally taking away the innocent lives of their husbands by the Assam Police by arbitrarily resorting to indiscriminate firing at the unarmed local civilians at Langpih village”.
The Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice PC Pant and Justice T Nandakumar Singh said, “State of Assam represented by the Secretary and Commissioner ( Home) and Director General of Police, Assam have to pay the amount of Rs 2 lakh each to the petitioners within three months. The Court said Assam officials have to deposit the amount in the Registry of High Court of Meghalaya and the Registry in turn will disburse the same to the victims. According to the Court, the order of compensation was made since Assam has already admitted that four persons were killed in firing by Assam police personnel.