Meghalaya HC directs Govt to address suffering of border residents

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 20, 2022

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday directed the state government to take effective decisions to address the suffering of the people residing along the Indo-Bangla border in East Jaintia Hills District.

Hearing a PIL on the matter, a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh said, “Expeditious and effective decisions ought to be taken so that the suffering of the local people can be alleviated at the earliest.”

This was after there had been delay in the construction of the Borghat-Sonapur road.

The state government had said that despite best efforts the work order could not be issued since the lowest bidder may have relied on fabricated documents and the tender committee is looking into the matter.

The court however said, “Whatever may be the situation, the process has to be expedited.”

As for the temporary arrangements for a Bailey bridge, it was submitted that because of the heavy rains, the support structure to hold the Bailey bridge could not be put in place and it is hoped that even a short respite from the rains may allow the Bailey bridge to be constructed.

Appreciating the difficulty faced in the monsoon season, the court said, “…yet it cannot be accepted that far-flung places would be without access and the rains would be an excuse for not being able to connect such places.” The next hearing will be held on July 13.