SHILLONG, May 14 � Meghalaya Government has decided to drop criminal charges against the leaders of pro-Inner Line Permit (ILP) organisations, after they threatened of agitation in the State if charges against them were not dropped.
The Political department in a circular issued last night reportedly stated that it has agreed to withdraw all criminal cases, which are petty in nature, filed against the leaders of the various groups.
A letter to this effect was sent to the organisations after which they have decided to apply for bail to release jailed Khasi Students� Union leader Daniel Khyriem.
The department said although the criminal charges that are �petty in nature� have been dropped, those crimes that have been identified as �heinous� would be left for the Special Court�s adjudication.
The decisions would bring some relief to the State as there was a growing threat that the organisations would go for agitation after the KSU president Khyriem was arrested on May 7 on various charges.
The organisations were demanding for his release unconditionally and by dropping all charges against him.
PTI adds:There are over 90 cases registered against the leaders of the pro-ILP organisations during the four-month long agitations in the second half of 2013.
Meanwhile, the Law department has also written to the High Court seeking appointment of a new judge of the Special Court after a major reshuffle was effected in the lower judiciary recently.
SHILLONG, May 14 � Meghalaya Government has decided to drop criminal charges against the leaders of pro-Inner Line Permit (ILP) organisations, after they threatened of agitation in the State if charges against them were not dropped.
The Political department in a circular issued last night reportedly stated that it has agreed to withdraw all criminal cases, which are petty in nature, filed against the leaders of the various groups.
A letter to this effect was sent to the organisations after which they have decided to apply for bail to release jailed Khasi Students� Union leader Daniel Khyriem.
The department said although the criminal charges that are �petty in nature� have been dropped, those crimes that have been identified as �heinous� would be left for the Special Court�s adjudication.
The decisions would bring some relief to the State as there was a growing threat that the organisations would go for agitation after the KSU president Khyriem was arrested on May 7 on various charges.
The organisations were demanding for his release unconditionally and by dropping all charges against him.
PTI adds:There are over 90 cases registered against the leaders of the pro-ILP organisations during the four-month long agitations in the second half of 2013.
Meanwhile, the Law department has also written to the High Court seeking appointment of a new judge of the Special Court after a major reshuffle was effected in the lower judiciary recently.
