Supreme Court Gives Meghalaya ‘Last Chance’ To Detail Steps Against Illegal Mining In Khas Hills
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The Supreme Court has given Meghalaya four weeks to file an affidavit outlining measures taken to curb alleged illegal mining in the Khas Hills. The court warned this is the “last chance” before further action.
New Delhi: On August 12, the Supreme Court gave the Meghalaya government four weeks’ time as a last chance to explain the steps it has taken to stop alleged illegal mining in the state’s Khasi Hills region.
On Tuesday, a bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria, heard the matter. Senior advocate K Parameshwar, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, informed the bench about
“rampant mining activities in the pristine forest area.”
The court was also told by the lawyer representing Assam that the illegal mining in Meghalaya was causing serious problems in the neighbouring state.
He said that
“due to the illegal mining activities in Meghalaya, the state was facing flood situation causing hardship to the citizens.”
After hearing these submissions, the bench said,
“We, therefore, give four weeks time by way of a last chance to the state of Meghalaya to file an affidavit stating therein what steps have been taken by the state of Meghalaya for preventing the latest illegal mining activities.”
The amicus curiae further informed the court that the central empowered committee (CEC) had visited the affected area and “witnessed rampant mining activity.”
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He added that
“Meghalaya did not furnish a reply to the CEC in the matter.”
However, the counsel for Meghalaya gave a different account. He told the court that the CEC
“conducted a site inspection on July 18 and handed out a questionnaire to the state following which the state submitted its response.”
He also argued that
“the NGT had already passed a detailed order on the issue of illegal mining.”
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The lawyer for Meghalaya insisted that
“illegal mining in the state was closed and only legal mining was allowed.”
After listening to all sides, the bench decided to take up the matter again in September.
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