Shillong, Sep 2: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to speed up acquisition of land for crematoria and cemeteries.
Earlier, the court had ordered the constitution of a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to resolve the dispute between non-Christian Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes and Hindus in sharing of crematoria and between various denominations of Christians with regard to sharing of cemeteries.
A division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) today said, “Considering the importance of the issue and the urgency involved, we direct the Committee to act with more speed.”
Amicus Curiae advocate N. Syngkon informed the court committee in its meeting held on August 27 resolved that district level state committees would be constituted and the state government moved to allocate funds for this purpose.
“If district level state committees are required, let them be constituted as soon as possible but they shall be strictly under the control of the Committee constituted under orders of this Court. Irrespective of constitution of the district level committees, the Committee functioning under the order dated 7th July, 2025 shall immediately move the government for acquiring and allotting public land to set up crematoria and cemeteries,” the court ordered.
The court also said that on the basis of a decision taken by the Committee the state government shall take all steps to acquire land and release funds for implementation of the order.
The Amicus Curiae has been directed to file a report before the next hearing on October 23, 2025.
