State Govt fast tracked withdrawal of 92 cases under MMPO Act
SHILLONG: While the State government has withdrawn all the 92 cases filed during the 2013 ILP related agitations against the leaders of the pressure groups, there is a long wait for the conclusion of the case of over Rs 31 crore damage suit filed by the government, which has been pending before the Special Court, constituted almost three years ago.
A government advocate dealing with the case said on Sunday that the matter has been fixed for evidence by the Special Court.
He also said that there are more than 100 witnesses including deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and other police personnel in the list provided to the Special Court as part of the damage suit.
The State government had filed two categories of cases, one criminal case under Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act and another, over Rs 31 crore damage suit for causing destruction to properties, both public and private during the ILP agitations sponsored by 14 pressure groups in 2013.
While the State government had dropped as many as 92 cases under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act on a fast track mode buckled under pressure from protestors, there was undue delay on disposing of the damage suit of over Rs 31 core due to one reason or other, sources said.
According to sources, the transfer of Judges from the district court in December last year has slowed down the case as the earlier Judge R. Rymbai, who was heading the Special Court, was also transferred. Another Judge D.S. Marbaniang is currently heading the Special Court.
The delay in submission of government witnesses to the Special Court was another reason for the delay, sources said, while adding that there was no hearing of the case for the last several months.
Out of the 14 pressure groups, those who are contesting the damage suit include All India Garo Union (AIGU), Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) and Synjuk Ki Seng Samla Shnong (SSSS).