SHILLONG: High Court of Meghalaya has directed the Superintendent of Police, West Jaintia Hills to register a case and investigate as to who is the real culprit involved in creating law and order problems in the Nartiang Durga Temple and disturbing the puja.
The court said the investigation should be completed within a month and if anybody is found involved, charge sheet should be filed against him or her in the appropriate court.
The court said after hearing the submissions made by the counsel for the parties and after reading the report furnished by the Superintendent of Police, West Jaintia Hills District and the Deputy Commissioner, it is really confusing as to who is actually responsible for disturbing the puja and creating law and order problems in the Nartiang Durga Temple.
According to the court, since Oni Maskut Deshmukh had performed the last puja as per the wishes of the people of Nartiang village, he should continue the puja as per the desire of the people of Nartiang village.
The roads leading to Shiv Mandir, Durga Mandir and Bishari Mandir is a kachha road, which needs a topping so that the people can go without any difficulty to visit the temple, the court said, adding that the whole exercise should be completed within a month.
The counsel for the petitioners submitted that some rituals were performed earlier, where a room/house was constructed by the PWD at the campus of the temple. The court directed the PWD to demolish the room within fifteen days.
The court, however, appreciated the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills and the Superintendent of Police for maintaining law and order.
The court also appreciated the police personnel who sustained injuries during the incidents at Nartiang Durga Temple for maintaining law and order.
“The government may give the reward for their committable job and this portion of observation of this Court should be placed in their ACR by the Chief Secretary”, the court said.
Counsel S. Dey submitted that in the recent Durga Puja, the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills did not allow the immersion of the idols and compelled the Puja Committee to wash them by using Fire Brigade.
The court asked the Deputy Commissioner to show cause as to why necessary action should not be taken against him for such unlawful act. He should be present before the Court on the next date of hearing on November 30
The headman of Nartiang resigned from the post and vacated the guest house and handed over the key to the Puja Committee of Nartiang village.
As per the direction of the court, Swappon Bhattacharjee, Phroi Dhar, Rita Symblai, Song Baitmyria and Lutmon Symblai appeared in the court and denied their involvement in creating law and order problems at Nartiang Durga temple.
Bhattacharjee submitted that he was taken by one police man H. Lamare.