Shillong: Six students from Uttar Pradesh, including two minors, began court-ordered community service in Shillong on Friday after Meghalaya High Court quashed an FIR registered against them for allegedly vandalising a homestay.The students, aged between 15 and 18, joined Jiva Cares’ Project Operation Clean-Up and took part in a drive to clean areas around Polo and Urkaliar on Sept 11.HC had quashed the FIR after the students reached a settlement with the homestay manager and proprietor, paid Rs 2.06 lakh in compensation and tendered an unconditional apology for their conduct.Two of the adults accused were separately directed to pay an additional Rs 25,000 each and undertake six days of community service. They had already completed three days of social service with the Guru Singh Sabha in Lachumiere from Sept 8.The two joined the clean-up drive on Friday to complete the remaining three days of their court-directed civic activity.The FIR was registered at Laitumkhrah police station on July 11 following a complaint alleging that the students had damaged the homestay and threatened its owner after he refused to allow them to bring in additional guests.HC has directed the public prosecutor to submit a report on whether the students satisfactorily completed the community service.The matter has been listed for hearing on Sept 15, when the court will record compliance with its order.
