HC orders GNLA general secretary's release

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, April 11:  The Meghalaya High Court has asked the government to release Garo tiol Liberation Army (GNLA) general secretary Dalbin N Marak from its custody.

In an order issued on April 9, the division bench of Chief Justice Uma th Singh and Justice T nda Kumar Singh directed the state government to release Marak if he is, otherwise, not required in connection with any other case(s).

It may be mentioned that Marak was arrested by Williamgar police in East Garo hills district on November 24, 2013 from Kusimkolgre Forest Gate and subsequently booked under Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act (MPDA) on January 14, 2014.

The detention order dated January 14 had been approved vide order dated January 24, 2014 and confirmed vide order dated March 4, 2014 by the State Government and fixing the period of detention for three years with effect from January 14, 2014.

The Meghalaya High Court have ordered the release of the GNLA general secretary on the ground that the detaining authority while passing the MPDA detention order did not apply its mind.

Meanwhile, the division bench has also directed the registry to furnish the copy of this judgment and order to all the District Magistrates of the State of Meghalaya and the Principal Secretary (Home), Government of Meghalaya for information so as to avoid repetition of the same mistake in future.