By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 10: The state government on Tuesday assured the High Court of Meghalaya that it will take every possible step to maintain law and order and prevent any further untoward incidents in the Garo Hills during the filing of nominations for the upcoming MDC elections.
Hearing a PIL filed by one Bozlul Hoque, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was told by Senior Counsel for the petitioner, K. Paul, that the petitioner was not pressing prayer clause (I) i.e., the challenge to the notification dated February 17, 2026 issued by the Chief Executive Member of the GHADC.
The counsel said a separate petition challenging the same notification is already pending before the learned Single Judge.
“Since prayer clause (I) is not pressed, we make it clear that we have not gone into the merits of the petition, and as such, all contentions of all parties on merits are kept open vis-à-vis the challenge to the impugned notification,” the Bench observed.
On prayer clause (ii), Paul sought directions to concerned authorities to provide adequate security to non-tribal candidates coming to file nominations, or alternatively, to shift the nomination acceptance centres to the candidates’ respective blocks.
The senior counsel informed the court that several incidents of violence had occurred when non-tribal candidates tried to submit their forms. He highlighted a firing incident in which two persons were reportedly killed and several others injured.
Advocate General Amit Kumar, appearing for the state government, gave a firm assurance to the court that the government will ensure that no untoward incident takes place in the area.
“…Additional manpower will be deployed if not already done, and all steps required to maintain law and order will be taken. Steps will be taken to ensure that no further incidents take place,” he assured.
The Bench recorded the state’s assurance and posted the matter for further hearing on March 17, making it clear that all contentions on the merits of the main challenge remain open for decision at a later stage.
