Spl court begins hearing against ngos

Shillong, December 3: Civil Society Women Organisation (CSWO) president Agnes Kharshiing and general secretary W Thabah deposed before the special court that is trying cases of arsons that cost the state exchequer Rs 31, 09, 50,158 crore as losses during the bandhs, picketing and blockades sponsored by the pro Inner Line Permit (ILP) ngos during the last three months.

Kharshiing and Thabah were the only ones to appear before the special court constituted by the state government to try and fast track cases that violated the Supreme Court ruling against frequent bandhs call and shutdowns sponsored by the pro-ILP groups.

The CSWO which was one among the fourteen pro-ILP ngos spearheading the ILP movement has recently disassociated from the current agitation saying that it would rather use laws of the land to fight for the introduction of the ILP in the state.

The pro-ILP organisations like the Khasi Students Union (KSU), the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and 11 others have  charged by the state government for calling shutdowns, picketing and blockades which the government said is “unconstitutional” and “illegal.”

The government has also held the ngos responsible for the damages caused to public property during the agitation and said that the ngos will have to pay the damages.

The state government through the political department secretary B Khongwir has file damage suit against the ngos and their leaders for being responsible for the losses amounting to Rs 31, 09, 50,158 to the government during the bandhs, picketing and blockades sponsored by the them which he said has affected the normal functioning of government and businesses.

Kharshiing and Thabah appeared before the special court headed by M Rymbai on Tuesday. The court directed both of them to appoint a legal counsel and file a written statement on their own behalf.

The court is likely to conduct three hearings for this particular suit after which the court is likely to pronounce an ex-parte judgment, court sources said.- By Our Reporter