JUDGEMENT AND ORDER (ORAL)

1. An FIR dated 03.03.2026 has been lodged before the Officer-in-Charge, Ladrymbai Police Outpost, East Jaintia Hills District by two persons namely, Shri Dawanoo Rymbai, Waheh Shnong, Lama Village and Shri Charling Syrti, Secretary, Lama Village.

2. The contents of the FIR speak of a dispute between two villages i.e. Lama Village and Lakadong Ummat Village in the East Jaintia Hills District, indicating therein that two groups of villagers of these respective villages are involved in such dispute, which land is the subject matter of acquisition by the concerned authorities for construction of a Four Lane expressway.

3. From the FIR, it is also revealed that the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, had fixed 03.03.2026 as the date for spot inspection of the said disputed land for the purpose of acquiring land for construction of Four Lane expressway. Accordingly, at about 10:30 - 11:00 am or so, a number of people were present there. Some of those present, specifically named in the said FIR have been alleged to have come to the spot armed with firearms and proceeding towards the crowd and resorted to indiscriminate firing resulting in three of the villagers of Lama village sustaining injuries on their bodies, for which they had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Accordingly, the police have registered the FIR as Khliehriat P.S. Case No. 104 (3) 2026 under Section 109 /118(2)/191(3)/61(2)/132/3(5) BNS, read with Section 27 Arms Act.

4. Heard Ms. A.D. Syiem, learned counsel for the petitioner, who has submitted that the petitioner is one of those persons named in the FIR, however, it is categorically stated herein that the petitioner was not present at the place of occurrence on the said date, since he was not an office bearer of the Dorbar Shong of Lakadong village nor does he have any relation to the disputed land. In fact, on the said day of occurrence, he was engaged in harvesting/cultivating betel nut, leaves and broom sticks.

5. The learned counsel has submitted that a false allegation has been made against him in the FIR dated 03.03.2026 with the purpose to stigmatize him and also to cause irreparable harm to his dignity and standing as a responsible member of the society, as such, being apprehensive of imminent arrest, he has preferred this instant application with a prayer for grant of anticipatory bail.

6. The learned counsel has also submitted that in this regard, an FIR dated 06.03.2026 was lodged before the In-charge, Ladrymbai Police Outpost, by some of the residents of Lakadong Ummat village, wherein, they have detailed the action of some of those who were present on the said date at the place of occurrence, the names being noted at para 11 of the said FIR, the said persons being responsible of trespassing and use of criminal force, including rioting with deadly weapons and fire arms which has caused terror and fear on those present, including minor children. Therefore, since there are allegations and cross allegations made, the petitioner has been unnecessarily implicated in the case.

7. Mr. N.D. Chullai, learned AAG assisted by Ms. Z.E. Nongkynrih, learned GA appearing for the State respondent, has strongly opposed the prayer made, and has stated that the fact that there was altercation at the place of occurrence (PO) on the said dated that is, 03.03.2026, wherein as a result thereof, machete and firearms have been employed to cause injuries to some of those present, has not been denied by the petit