SHILLONG, MAY 26: Meghalaya deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh, who holds the law portfolio, said the state government will examine the recent ruling of the Meghalaya high court to treat Bangladesh nationals who settled in the state before March 24, 1971 as “Indians and enroll them in the electoral rolls.
Lyngdoh told reporters on Monday the state government will also seek the guidance of the Election Commission of India (ECI) before acting on the matter. He said, “We will examine the recent order of the court on the matter.”
Lyngdoh said, “Though the court’s direction has to be abided, we would however seek the guidance and clarification from the Election Commission of India (ECI).”
In a historic judgment, the Meghalaya high court had said that Bangladesh nationals who settled in this north eastern state before March 24, 1971 should be treated as Indians and they be enrolled in the election book.
The judgment was based on a petition by over 40 refugees from Bangladesh who were denied enrolment in the electoral rolls by the district administration questioning their citizenship.
These refugees hailing from Amjong village near the Assam-Meghalaya inter-state border in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district moved the high court after their citizenship certificates were seized by the deputy commissioner.
Justice SR Sen, in his May 15 order, directed the R Bhoi district deputy commissioner Pooja Pandey to return the seized certificates to the petitioners and enroll them in the election book before the next elections.
Lyngdoh informed that the state government is yet to receive any direction from the ECI on the matter relating to the enrollment of such citizen in the election book of the state. He said the government will seek the ECI advice on whether to enroll them or not.- By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours