Guwahati, Oct. 3 -- Landowners in South West Garo Hills are to receive compensation within three months for land acquired for the Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing, following an order by the Meghalaya High Court.

The Court has asked the State and Union authorities to settle the issues that have delayed payment despite the preparation and approval of draft awards.

Justice B. Bhattacharjee said the government cannot take control of private land and leave the owners waiting for compensation for several years without a legally justified reason.

The Court said such a situation, where possession is taken but payment is kept pending without lawful grounds, can constitute an abuse of authority.

The petitioners' land was acquired in 2017-18 for t...