The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the Meghalaya government four weeks’ time—stating it would be the “last chance”—to file an affidavit outlining steps taken to curb alleged illegal mining in the state’s Khasi Hills region.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria was informed by amicus curiae K. Parameshwar about “rampant” mining activities in pristine forest areas, despite existing restrictions. The amicus said the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had inspected the area and witnessed ongoing illegal mining, but had not received a formal response from the state.
The counsel for Assam told the court that such mining in Meghalaya was contributing to flooding and causing hardships to citizens in Assam.
Representing Meghalaya, counsel submitted that the CEC had conducted a site inspection on July 18 and issued a questionnaire, to which the state had already responded. However, the bench noted that the CEC confirmed no such reply had been received.
The state’s counsel further contended that the National Green Tribunal had already passed detailed directions on illegal mining and that all unlawful mining operations were shut down, with only legal mining permitted.
The court posted the matter for further hearing in September.
