Shillong, Sept 15: Reacting to the Opposition’s walk out from the House for not allowing a discussion on the death of former HNLC leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew during the Assembly Session on Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh has provided a clarification.

He said he had to disallow the discussion on the matter since it will be difficult for him to decide during the course of the deliberations of the members which matter is subjudice and which is not.

“I also know that if I ask the members to stop they will not stop and so damage is done. The opinion of the Advocate General was that Rule 59 prohibits to allow a short duration discussion on the matter as the matter is subjudice,”  Lyngdoh said.

What the rule says

It may be mentioned that Rule 59 of the the Rule and Procedure of Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly states that  motion which seeks to raise discussion on a matter pending before any statutory tribunal or statutory authority performing any judicial or quasi-judicial functions or any commission or court of enquiry appointed to inquire into or investigate any matter shall ordinarily be permitted to be moved.

Provided that the Speaker may in his discretion allow such matter being raised in the House as is concerned with the procedure or subject or stage of inquiry, if the Speaker is satisfied that it is not likely to prejudice the consideration of such matter by the statutory tribunal, statutory authority, commission or court of enquiry.