Shillong: The Supreme Court has given 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.
During a hearing on August 12, a bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria, was informed by senior advocate K. Parameshwar, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, that “rampant mining activities” are ongoing in the region’s protected forests.
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 stated that due to the illegal mining activities in Meghalaya, the state was facing flood situation, causing hardship to the citizens.
“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 bench said.
The amicus curiae informed the court that the central empowered committee (CEC) had visited the affected area and “witnessed rampant mining activity.” He said Meghalaya did not furnish a reply to the CEC in the matter.
The counsel appearing for Meghalaya said 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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“Illegal mining in the state was closed and only legal mining was allowed,” he stated.
The bench posted the matter for hearing in September.
