Meghalaya govt to set up special court to try 'bandh' cases

Meghalaya government will set up a special court exclusively to deal with cases of violation of the Supreme Court order banning 'bandhs' by protesting pro- Inner Line Permit activists, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said.
The state government is seeking compensation for losses incurred by it in the past one month due to protests by the said activists.
"Meghalaya High Court has recently approved the setting up of a special court to try cases related to violation of the SC ruling banning bandhs," Mukul told mediapersons at his residence today.
According to Mukul, all anti-government incidents in the past one month, which had pro-ILP activists behind them, would be dealt with by the special court.

Deciding to take the pro-ILP activists head on, Mukul said, "Sponsors of bandhs and agitations will have to pay compensation for all losses incurred (by the government in the course of their protests)."
Over 45 pro-ILP activists arrested since September 4 are set to face trial in the special court, a senior law officer added.
Several government offices and vehicles were damaged after the stalemate between the pro-ILP activists and the state government began on September 4.
All district officials have been directed to compute the losses incurred in the past one month during the anti- government protests, the official said.