Shillong, Sept 2: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to acquire land for crematoria and cemeteries.
In its order passed on Tuesday, the division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said, “The state government shall on the basis of a decision taken by
the Committee take all steps to acquire land and release funds for implementation of our order.”
The meeting of the Committee constituted by the court was held on August 27 where it resolved that district level state committees would be constituted and the state government moved to allocate funds for this purpose.
“Considering the importance of the issue and the urgency involved, we direct the Committee to act with more speed. If district level state committees are required, let them be constituted as soon as possible but they shall be strictly under the control of the Committee constituted under orders of this Court. Irrespective of constitution of the district level committees, the Committee functioning under the order dated 7th July, 2025 shall immediately move the government for acquiring and allotting public land to set up crematoria and cemeteries,” the bench stated.
“The Committee will hold frequent meetings to cause the said various sects who cremate their dead to come to a solution regarding sharing of crematoria and members of the Christian denominations who bury their dead to share common cemeteries,” it added.
The bench has also directed the Amicus Curiae to file a report in this Court before the next returnable date of this public interest litigation which is on October 23.
