The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday ordered the Meghalaya government to ensure that peace is maintained in areas, which had witnessed violent protest earlier this year.
The order was passed by the single bench of Justice SR Sen after hearing a petition filed by the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) seeking quashing of a notification issued by the Meghalaya government related to the formation of the High Level Committee (HLC) headed by Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong.
“It is directed that the administration must ensure that peace be maintained in the disputed area,” the order said.
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The bench has also directed the state government and other respondents to file their respective counter affidavits within four weeks.
The next hearing on the matter will be held after four weeks for further order.
The High Level Committee was constituted by the state government on June 4, to find a permanent solution in connection with the relocation of settlers from Them ïew Mawlong.
On May 31 night, an exchange of words between a bus driver and a woman, who is residing at Them ïew Mawlong over the parking of a bus led to the assault of the bus driver and two other persons by some persons residing in the area.
This triggered violence at nearby Motphran and Mawkhar areas on May 31 night and revived the pending demand for shifting of the settlers from Them ïew Mawlong.