High Court Notice to Govt on NC Hills Council

Guwahati, Feb 6 : The Gauhati High Court has directed the Chief Secretary of Assam to submit an affidavit indicating the steps taken by the State Government to ensure compliance of the Interim Orders passed by the High Court on the issue of NC Hills Autonomous Council.

The High Court has asked the Chief Secretary to submit his affidavit on or before February 22 and the next date for the case (WP ( C) 6/2010) fixed on February 24.

The High Court had earlier issued an Interim Order on January 6, 2010 in a case (WP (C) 50/2010) stating that the impugned notification of the State Government dated January 4, 2010 through which the Governor had assumed the power of the Autonomous Council should remain suspended.

But in a writ petition, Kulendra Daulagupu alleged on February 3 that the State authorities have not extended the necessary cooperation to ensure compliance of the Court’s Interim Order, which permitted the Council to function unhindered.

The Court of Justice Hrishikesh Roy said in its February 4 order that it is difficult to comprehend the approach of the State authorities, particularly when the interim orders passed by the Court continue to remain in force and no application is filed by the State Government for recall of the Interim Orders.