South West Garo Hills gets its District & Sessions Court

Staff Correspondent

Ampati, Feb 24: In a move that would ensure complete separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the district of South West Garo Hills, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and Chief Justice of Meghalaya Justice Dinesh Maheshwari jointly iugurated the District & Sessions Court in the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises and also laid the foundation stone for construction of a permanent District Court complex at Ampati on Friday.

They also iugurated the Lok Adalat being held in the premises on the occasion and also inspected the proceedings of the Lok Adalat. Earlier the Chief Minister, Chief Justice and other dignitaries also planted saplings at the site of the permanent court complex.

An impressive function was held at Ampati Multi-Facility Centre to mark the historic occasion which was also attended by Minister for Law etc, Roshan Warjri, Government Chief Whip, W.D. Sangma Shillong High Court judges Justice S.R.Sen and Justice Ved Prakash Vaish, Mahendraganj Legislator, Dikkanchi D.Shira, Advocate General of Meghalaya, B. P. Todi, DGP incharge B.L. Buam, officials of the district and members of Tura Bar Association among many others. In his iugural address, the Chief Minister said that the occasion would” remain an important milestone in our endeavor to serve the people more efficiently”,  Stating that there are  certain ambiguity and grey areas while implementing various sections of law in a Sixth Schedule area; he, however said that the Government is taking steps to address the issue so that there is a complete clarity and no conflict of interpretation of law.

The Chief Minister also said when the executive officers hold the dual charge of the Executive and the Judiciary their hands are full, they are faced with constraints of time in delivering their administrative duties and cannot do justice to both. He appealed to the youth to look at the space of judiciary as an opportunity to serve the people of the state.

Stating that a state where there is a perceived lawlessness is considered to be defective, the Chief Minister also emphasized that all agencies of the government work hand in hand in delivery of justice for the people. He also announced that State Civil Service examitions would be held every year. “We will recruit MCS officers every year, so that our youth are prepared to appear in Indian Civil Service (IAS) and other examitions,” he added.

Justice Maheshwari, in his address on the occasion, said separation of judiciary from executive, which is essential for public good, will give the executive officers more time to engage in administrative works. He was of the view that the separation would provide room for all programmes related to delivery of justice and legal aid being carried out in an effective manner in South West Garo Hills. Commenting on fear and challenges raised by the Tura Bar Association in enforcing different sections of law in a Sixth Schedule area the Chief Justice  said that if there are rules which need to be overhauled, the views and suggestion of learned members of the Bar would be considered to arrive at vibrant solutions.

South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner CVD Diengdoh and President of Tura Bar Association ML Thangal were among others who also spoke on the occasion.

According to the High Court notification, Allenby M Ripr, District & Sessions Judge, Tura would also hold additiol charge as District & Sessions Judge for Ampati,  Isormon Rymbui would hold additiol charge as Chief Judicial Magistrate, T.T.M. Sangma is posted as Judicial Magistrate for South West Garo Hills.