Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has voiced its strong displeasure over the lack of progress in identifying designated cremation sites for the Khasi, Jaintia, and Hindu communities within the state.
The court’s concern stems from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the severe shortage of crematoriums, which forces families to transport bodies over long distances for final rites.
During a hearing on the PIL addressing the scarcity of crematoriums for those practicing indigenous faiths, the court expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of progress.
In an order issued on Tuesday, the court directed the District Magistrate to follow its earlier directive within four weeks.
The indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities have shown reluctance to share cremation facilities with the Hindu community due to differences in funeral rites.
Despite the government’s proposal to establish electric hybrid crematoria in New Shillong, Tura, Jowai, and Nongpoh, as well as the completion of previous projects in Syllei-Iawkein, Nongstoin, Khlieh Tyrshi village (Jowai), West Jaintia Hills, and Jhalupara (Shillong), none of these facilities are currently operational.
The High Court noted that its order dated October 25, 2024, had suggested an interim solution — a shared crematorium with different time slots for different communities — but there had been little to no progress.
“There is no report in Court with regard to progress in terms of our earlier order. We are not at all pleased with this state of affairs,” the Court said.
During the hearing, Amicus Curiae and Deputy Solicitor General of India, Dr N Mozika, requested to be relieved from his role. The court accepted his request and appointed Advocate N Syngkon as the new Amicus Curiae, instructing him to collaborate with the District Magistrate.
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The court has ordered the Registrar General to forward its order to the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, and it will hear the case again on April 8, 2025.
