SHILLONG, OCT 3: The Meghalaya High Court today directed all concerns associated with the game of Arrow-shooting in Shillong not to create any law and order problem.
The single bench of the High Court passed the direction while disposing of a writ petition filed by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute (KHASI) against an order issued by the State Commissioner of Taxes.
The Commissioner of Taxes in his order issued on June 23, 2016 had directed the KHASI to revoke the suspension of Meghalaya Book Maker’s Welfare Union (MBMWU) with immediate effect and to allow its shooters to take part in the game of arrow-shooting.
It may be mentioned here, the KHASI had taken a decision at a meeting held on May 17, 2016 to make the temporary suspension of MBMWU ‘permanent and absolute’ after the latter failed to settle their internal matters.
This was following quarrel that broke out between factions of MBMWU on March 8 and March 9, 2016 in which both wanted 8 shooters of their own to take part in the game of arrow-shooting.
There are 2 factions within MBMWU, one faction is led by Armstrong Syiem and the other faction is led by Stondarly R Lyngkhoi.
Earlier due to their differences, the KHASI which had to intervene in between decided to allot 3 shooters to one faction and 5 shooters to the other faction.
As per Rule 42(2) of the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax (Amendment) Rules, 1982 and Condition No. 6 of the License Permit issued to KHASI the total number of shooters should not be less than 30 or more than 50.
However after hearing the matter, the single bench said that as per impugned order issued on June 23, 2016, it appears that the state government has already taken steps to settle the matter.
“Therefore, I feel this Court has nothing much to add and it will also not be wise to interfere. Hence, I am of the opinion that this matter is without jurisdiction of the writ Court,” Justice SR Sen stated in his order.
Directing all the parties to settle their dispute and comply with the Commissioner of Taxes’ order, the bench also said, “It is also further directed that no one should create any law and order problem.”
Notably, KHASI, a registered institute, has been issued the Licensed Permit for organizing the game of Arrow shooting at Shillong since 1983 and has been doing so with due diligence so that the game of Arrow-shooting is fair and proper.
MBMWU is one among the three associations which include Meghalaya Thoh Team Welfare Association (MATTWA) and Khasi Hills Bookies Welfare Association (KHBWA) who took part in the daily game of Arrow-shooting at Shillong.
While the MATTWA and KHBWA were also allotted with 8 shooters each, KHASI which has 12 clubs under its umbrella is keeping the remaining 26 shooters.
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