SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has imposed fine on school authorities and traditional heads of Mylliem for discriminating against people, including students of indigenous faith.
During the hearing of the pending case, ND Chullai, senior counsel for the petitioner submitted that on two occasions, students of Hemon Zenith Secondary School and Sunny Hill Adventist School, both in Mylliem, raised slogans against the cremation of a dead person belonging to the indigenous faith. The matter was reported to different authorities but no action has been taken till date and even the FIR that was filed is still pending.
The petitioner Babymola Buhphang faced harassment after the death of her husband Kulam Nongrum.
On being questioned by the court, the headmistresses of two schools agreed that the incident occurred as the situation went beyond their control.
After hearing the parties concerned, a fine of Rs 1,000 was imposed on Ricky Nelson Syiem, Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem, Dorbar Shnong of Madaniing Syiem, Mylliem and. Hamphel Khyriem, Rangbah Shnong, Madaniing Syiem, Mylliem for defying the court’s order.
The court also imposed Rs 2000 as fine on Hana Kharkongor, headmistress, Hemon Zenith Secondary School, and Baiamonlang Lamin, headmistress, Sunny Hill Adventist School
Chullai also said students in these two schools are being treated differently and there is discrimination as the students belonging to the indigenous faith are being asked to sit separately.
The court asked the East Khasi Hills SP to look into the pending FIR and DPI, School Education was directed to send surprise periodical inspection teams to see that the schools function without any favour or discrimination where students can study without fear. “In the event of any repetition of such activities by any school or schools, DPI, School Education is directed to take a stern action and may cancel the permission of the school, if necessary,” the order said.
