Pressure groups want separation of executive, judiciary in EJH

SHILLONG: Concerned over the rising crime rate in East Jaintia Hills, two pressure groups have raised the urgency to separate the judiciary from the executive in the district even as they asserted that there was no conviction in criminal cases in the district.
A Joint Action Committee of the East Jaintia National Council (EJNC) and the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) East Jaintia Hills met Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla regarding the matter.
Pointing to pending cases such as the rape and murder of a two-year-old child in 2016, the murder of an NGO leader and acid attacks, the group said the victims in all these cases are yet to get justice.
They asserted that the Executive Magistrate who is currently functioning as the Judicial Magistrate is overburdened with cases which delays trials.
“In East Jaintia Hills, there is hardly any regard for the law and the law hardly gives hope and protection to the people; the guilty are running around unpunished, victims are not getting justice and innocent people are languishing in jail for years,” they said.
They also demanded a district and session court, chief judicial magistrate and judicial magistrate first class in the district without delay.
The groups pointed out that a building has already been acquired for the purpose and furniture and other facilities have been installed.
“Rent is being paid regularly for one year now but the court is yet to function,” they said.
The group further demanded setting up of a C&RD Block in East Jaintia Hills, upgradation of Khliehriat CHC to a civil hospital and establishment of a government college.