Shillong, Aug 24: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has filed a PIL in Meghalaya High Court challenging the environmental public hearing held on July 31 for Shree Cement’s proposed mining project at Lum Syrman, Elaka Nongkhlieh.
A delegation led by education secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem and general secretary Neilkee Mukhim filed the PIL on Monday.
The union said it moved court after exhausting administrative remedies, including representations and FIRs to district administration and police, alleging state inaction. It said proceedings before the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission and National Green Tribunal are pending.
In its PIL, JSU alleged the public hearing was a 46-minute sham where indigenous stakeholders and landowners were blocked from participating.
It alleged armed goons attacked peaceful protesters and a JSU emergency ambulance, injuring driver Rapbor Mukhim, and accused police of using tear gas against protesters instead of acting against attackers and diluting the FIR to shield them.
JSU said approaching the High Court is its final institutional recourse and warned of mass agitation across the region if justice is not delivered.
