Shillong, Aug 24: A JSU delegation has filed a PIL in High Court of Meghalaya challenging the public hearing for Shree Cement
A central delegation of the JSU, led by Education Secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem and General Secretary Neilkee Mukhim, filed the PIL challenging ‘heavily militarized, fraudulent environmental public hearing held on July 3 for the proposed Shree Cement Limited mining project at Lum Syrman, Elaka Nongkhlieh.
The union took this step after exhausting every available administrative and statutory avenue, all of which failed due to state apathy:
State government ,inaction: Despite formal representations and multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) submitted to the district administration and police, the state government has failed to take any corrective measures or halt the clearance process.
Awaiting MHRC & NGT action: While formal complaints and proceedings before the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) remain underway and decisive action is awaited, the authorities on the ground continue to turn a blind eye.
Core grounds of the PIL: Sham hearing and mob violence.
The petition highlights grave violations of constitutional rights and state-corporate collusion:
A farce public hearing: The mandatory public hearing was reduced to an exclusionary, 46-minute sham where legitimate indigenous stakeholders and local landowners were deliberately blockaded and prevented from participating.
Brutal attack on emergency ambulance and protesters: In a planned bid to suppress democratic dissent, armed goons and corporate mercenaries assaulted peaceful protesters and ambushed a JSU emergency medical ambulance on a humanitarian mission. The driveri Rapbor Mukhim, sustained grievous head injuries from stones and catapults.
Police Complicity and Dereliction of Duty: Instead of acting against the armed goons who destroyed public infrastructure, the police administration used tear gas against peaceful indigenous youth and diluted the FIR into weak, bailable sections to shield the attackers.
Ultimatum: Deliver Justice or Face Public Agitation
The JSU Central Body underscored that approaching the High Court is the final institutional recourse to safeguard the fundamental rights and dignity of the indigenous people.
