Shillong (PTI): Amid the stand-off between Assam and Meghalaya over the disputed Langpih area, the Gauhati High Court has directed the Meghalaya government to pay compensation to three Langpih residents who were detained illegally for over eight months.
A bench of the court headed by Justice J Chelameshwar and Anima Hazarika directed the Meghalaya government to pay Rs one lakh to each the three Nepali-speaking people.
The three -- Rambahadur Chetri, Deependra Limbu and Tarabahadur Gurung -- were picked up by Meghalaya police from Langpih on May 14, 2004 and were kept in detention for over eight months.
After their release, the victims moved the court alleging that they were detained without any reason, nor any trial initiated against them before being convicted after a four-day lock-up. They also alleged that Meghalaya police had detained them for 'residing in Meghalaya illegally'.
The court, in its judgement on Friday, termed the detention illegal and violation of Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty).
The judgement comes in the backdrop of both the states forming a joint committee to resolve the border dispute between them. The committee is scheduled to submit its report within six months.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
www.hindu.com
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