TURA, Aug 22: Various groups from Williamnagar including the GSU, FAF, FKJGP and AIGU on Monday backed the demand for a separate High Court bench for Garo Hills region and GHADC court along with its branch offices in East Garo Hills.
In a statement, the groups contented that the demand raised by the Williamnagar Bar Association for a separate High Court bench for Garo Hills region is legitimate, especially when Meghalaya is celebrating 50 years of statehood.
They also maintained that acceding to the demand would mean that the judicial system at the lower level will be improved, “which would greatly benefit the poorer sections of the society and bring all-round development in the state”.
With regard to the demand for the establishment of GHADC court and its branch offices in Williamnagar, the organisations said that such a move would bring the GHADC administration closer to the people and ensure swift justice to one and all.
Apart from lending support to the demand, the groups also assured mobilisation of people for the demand and work towards the same until it is materialised.
It may be mentioned that the Williamnagar Bar Association had earlier petitioned Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for a separate High Court bench for Garo Hills region, pointing out that senior lawyers practising in the region are being deprived of furthering their careers due to the absence of the same, while litigants in various cases are also being affected as the HC is located only in the state capital Shillong.
In its memorandum to the chief minister, the Association had pointed out that litigants in various cases from Garo Hills are being deprived of justice as a large chunk of genuine cases filed by them in the High Court are being dropped as they faced problems in travelling the long distance to Shillong.
“Litigants from Garo Hills do not want to pursue pending cases filed by them in the HC as they have to travel the long distance to Shillong for every hearing. Travelling to and from Shillong is time and money consuming and the litigants are ultimately forced to drop genuine cases and are often deprived of justice,” the Association had said.
Days after seeking a separate High Court Bench for Garo Hills region, the Association also moved GHADC CEM Albinush R Marak for the establishment of GHADC Court as well as its branch offices in Williamnagar.
The demand for the setting up of GHADC branch offices was made by the Association in order to ensure facilitation of payment of land revenue, professional taxes, fees for obtaining trading licenses, issuance of land pattas besides undertaking many other essential works.
