SHILLONG: The Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High Court has directed the State Government to hold the elections to the four municipal boards in Garo Hills by September this year.
The court order was based on a petition filed by All Garo Hills Civic Poll Candidates’ Forum against the decision to call off the elections at the eleventh hour due to escalation of violence in certain areas following protests by various groups.
“Elections should be held for ward commissioners to the municipal boards of Tura, Resubelpara, Baghmara and Williamnagar at any rate not later than September 2011,” the court order said.
According to a senior official of the Urban Affairs department the Government has no option now but to hold the elections, otherwise it would be a contempt of court.
NGOs across the State had lodged strong protest against the government decision to hold the civic polls saying the elected municipal bodies would dilute the power of traditional institutions.
The High Court in its order also maintained that the authorities as far as possible should avoid nominations of the members to the municipal boards.
