Meghalaya police warn on publication of Bandh news
PR / Desk
SHILLONG, December 11, 2019: The Assistant Inspector General of Police (Administration), Meghalaya has informed that the High Court of Meghalaya had already issued necessary directions pertaining to the publications of statements apposite to calling of Bandh; however, he added that some of the local dailies within the state are still publishing statements of organizations calling for Bandhs in the North Eastern States, and the most recent publication was the news edition of The Shillong Times dated December 7 under the caption “NESO calls for NE Bandh against CAB on the Dec 10.”
In this regard, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (A), Meghalaya requested Home (Police) Department that congruous actions may be initiated as the matter in contention is not only an outcome of the injunction passed by the Hon’ble Court, but it may also lead to breakdown of law and order which will hinder peace and tranquility in the state.
In may be mentioned here that the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya in WP (C) No.127/2015 had directed that the, “statements of HNLC or any organization which may disturb the even tempo of day to day public life and cause violation of Fundamental rights of citizens in particular under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India relating to strike, Bandh, Hartal, Road Blockade and holding of rallies with unlawful design shall not be issued by any print or electronic media. In case of violation of this order, the Court may not only proceed under the Contempt of Court Act, but it is also directed that the State Government shall register criminal cases under appropriate provisions of law. It may not be out of place to direct the Secretary/Director of Information and Publicity of Government of Meghalaya, to ensure wide publicity of this order in print and electronic media so that the common citizens are encouraged to return to their normal life and get a strength of courage to pursue their regular avocation without any element of fear.”