Silchar: Gauhati High Court has ordered civic polls in Silchar by Sept 22, ending years of uncertainty.The court issued the directive while disposing of a Progressive Citizens’ Forum (PCF) petition challenging the delay in electing the Silchar Municipal Corporation, formerly the Silchar Municipal Board. Its July 22 order asked Assam govt and State Election Commission to prioritise and complete the process within two months.PCF president and advocate Dhruva Kumar Saha said the final order was more significant than the court’s interim directive in May. The govt missed the earlier July 22 deadline after seeking another two to three months, he said.“With the matter now finally disposed of and a clear deadline fixed, we hope the authorities will conduct the election within the stipulated time,” Saha added.PCF office-bearer Mahitosh Paul alleged that ignoring court directives weakened democratic institutions and called for suo motu contempt proceedings over non-compliance.Forum member Basudeb Sharma alleged that civic services had deteriorated without an elected body. He said the forum challenged a recent steep municipal tax increase, allegedly imposed without public consultation, in the high court.
The court issued the directive while disposing of a Progressive Citizens’ Forum petition
