JSU demands court-monitored inquiry into various aspects of project
Shillong, Sept 4: The Meghalaya High Court has admitted a petition of Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) against Shree Cement operations in East Jaintia Hills, which the JSU termed as a major victory for the affected communities in the area.
“The High Court has officially admitted our petition against the state government and Shree Cement,” the Union said.
In its response, the state government has told the court that all activities of the company have been put on hold.
“In a massive win for the people, the state government submitted a sworn affidavit confirming that all activities of Shree Cement shall be put on hold. The company cannot proceed with any groundwork or operations while this inquiry is active,” the JSU said a statement.
However, the JSU opposed the government’s decision to constitute a Fact-Finding Committee to examine environmental, social, legal and criminal aspects of the project and rather demanded a court-monitored inquiry on the issue.
“We strongly demand a fully independent, Court-Monitored Inquiry to ensure absolute transparency. The government cannot be trusted to impartially investigate its own failures,” JSU education secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem said in the statement.
The High Court will hear the matter next on September 7 for further replies from the State, the JSU said.
The Union also said it is preparing its response before the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), which has directed it to submit its views by September 28 on reports filed by the police and district administration regarding alleged violence and suppression of protests.
The JSU alleged that the reports are “vague and evasive” and that police documentation itself acknowledges a “violent ambush” on its medical rescue team by an armed group.
“We will not back down until our legal complaints are processed fairly and the perpetrators of the violence are prosecuted,” the union said.
