Shillong, Aug 7: High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday summoned East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, besides others on Thursday in connection with the denial of religious rites at Mawjymbuin cave in Mawsynram.
Yatra, a registered society, filed a writ petitioner before the court being aggrieved with the non-grant of a No Objection Certificate by the respondents for conducting
the annual pilgrimage to Mawjymbuin cave situated in Mawsynram which is revered by Hindus.
S.Jindal, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the annual yatra has been a continuing affair and from 2011, with the formation of the society it was made more structured and organised.
The counsel informed the court about the permissions earlier granted from 2011 issued by the District Administration till 2023 and
submitted that the Dorbar Shnong on all these occasions, had also issued the necessary No Objection Certificate and permission, and that
whatsoever conditions that have been prescribed have been strictly followed.
He further submitted that this year, though the first permission had been obtained on June 27 from the District Administration with the
condition therein that the organisers should obtain a No objection Certificate from the Dorbar Shnong, Mawsynram, inspite of reaching out to the Dorbar, there was no response and that they only came to know
about the rejection of the No Objection Certificate through the media. He
further submitted that there is no attempt whatsoever to establish any place
of worship as has been reported and that throughout the years, the only act
that has been done was to sprinkle water on the lingam and that there was no
intention to hurt the sentiments or create any disturbances whatsoever in
the place. He therefore, sought the intervention of the court to issue notice at this stage to the District Administration and the private respondents and that
appropriate orders be passed thereafter.
T.Yangi B, Additional Advocate General assisted by H.Abraham, goverment advocate was present and accepted notice on behalf of the respondents 1-5.
She wanted to obtain specific instructions and also submitted that since the matter deserves consideration, she may be allowed
one day’s time to obtain the same.
Accordingly, the court issued notice. As T.Yangi B was present on behalf of the respondents no 1-5, no further notice was called for on those respondents.
The court also issued notices to the respondents No. 6, 7, & 8.
“In the considered view of this court, as the matter is sensitive and deserves urgent consideration and in order to resolve the matter, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District is directed to depute a responsible officer to inform the said respondents No. 6, 7, & 8 to be present in court tomorrow, along with the
Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, in person at 2 pm”, Justice H.S.Thangkhiew said in his order.
The matter will come up for hearing on August 8.
