Latest news with #MeghalayaHighCourt
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Adityanath announces 6 new forensic labs, calls on UP Police to technologically upgrade itself
The Meghalaya High Court has instructed the state government to establish the Police Accountability Commission within four months, as mandated by the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010. The court highlighted the failure to set up the commission, which is essential for ensuring police accountability and addressing misconduct, despite the law being in place for 15 years.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Meghalaya HC directs state govt to set up Police Accountability Commission within 4 months
Shillong, The Meghalaya High Court on Monday directed the state government to constitute the Police Accountability Commission within four months in accordance with provisions of the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010. Meghalaya HC directs state govt to set up Police Accountability Commission within 4 months The HC noted that despite the law being enacted 15 years ago, the panel is yet to be set up. A division bench observed that the commission, conceived under Chapter XII of the Act, is a holistic mechanism to ensure strict police accountability, inquire into allegations of misconduct, and provide guidance to the state and the police department. The court was hearing a public interest litigation which pointed out that though the Act mandates constitution of the commission within three months of its coming into effect, the government has failed to do so. Section 74 of the Act lays down that the commission will consist of a retired principal secretary-level officer as chairperson, a retired police officer not below the rank of IGP, and a person with at least 10 years' experience in law, judiciary, or public administration. Their appointments are to be made on the basis of recommendations of a committee comprising the home minister, chief secretary, home secretary, and DGP. The bench noted that the commission has advisory powers to review investigations, direct fair and speedy inquiries, and recommend departmental action against police officers for misconduct. "This commission as conceived by the said Act would be healthy for the police administration of the state," the court observed. Appearing for the state, Additional Advocate General ND Chullai submitted that there are other enactments in force that provide for functions envisaged under the 2010 Act, but the government had not implemented it. The bench, however, clarified that unless the state amends or repeals the law, it is bound to comply with the provisions of the Act. Disposing of the PIL, the court directed the government to set up the commission within four months. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Meghalaya: SC formed panel seeks details on missing 4,000 MT coal, sets Sept deadline
District authorities in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills have assured the Supreme Court-appointed Justice (retired) B.P. Katakey committee that their inquiry reports on the mysterious disappearance of nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of illegal coal from these two depots will be ready within a month. On July 25, the Meghalaya High Court sought accountability from the state government and its agencies. (Bloomberg file photo) 'I have asked them to conduct an inquiry, and it has been assured that a report would be submitted within a month from now,' Justice (retired) BP Katakey told media persons on Monday evening after chairing a review meeting. On July 25, the Meghalaya High Court sought accountability from the state government and its agencies to identify the individuals or officials responsible for the missing coal, terming it a serious breach. Figures from the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) revealed that 1,839.03 MT of coal was recorded at a depot in Diengngan village, Ri-Bhoi. However, a recent inspection found just 2.5 MT, along with residue and traces of coal. In Rajaju village, West Khasi Hills, the situation was no better — only around 8 MT of coal remained against the 2,121.62 MT officially logged earlier. The committee meeting also reviewed applications from coal traders who claim their stock was not reflected in the report prepared by M/S Garuda, despite their inclusion in an affidavit filed by the state government before the Supreme Court. Also Read: India, Russia now explore opportunities in rare earth, critical minerals Justice Katakey's panel further examined the discovery of 1.92 lakh MT of illegally mined coal traced jointly by M/S Garuda and MBDA, and assessed what action had been taken. The former judge, however, was displeased with the pace of verification in East Jaiñtia Hills, the epicentre of Meghalaya's coal controversies for over a decade. 'I find the progress in East Jaiñtia Hills very slow and unsatisfying, while the quantity in other districts is very small,' he remarked, noting that while site visits had been made, the exact quantities of coal were yet to be determined. The development comes close on the heels of Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma accusing the state machinery of following a 'well-scripted modus operandi' to cover up coal-related corruption. The committee will soon file its recommendations before the high court. Meghalaya's coal industry has been under a ban on unscientific and hazardous mining since 2014 following a National Green Tribunal order. Despite this, illegal extraction and transport have persisted, with the high court and the Justice Katakey committee frequently flagging discrepancies in official coal inventories. The latest 'vanishing coal' episode comes just months after Meghalaya recorded the highest rainfall deficit in India at 56% — a statistic controversially floated by an excise minister as a possible reason for the missing stock.
The Print
03-08-2025
- The Print
Yatra organisers bar tourists from taking photos, force them to remove shoes in Meghalaya cave
Locals have consistently objected to attempts to designate the cave as a religious site, insisting it is a geological heritage location, not a shrine. Over 250 yatris arrived at the natural sandstone cave to offer prayers, drawing strong resentment from the Dorbar Shnong (village council) and many members of the local tribal community. Mawsynram (Meghalaya), Aug 3 (PTI) Tourists visiting the Mawjymbuin Cave in Meghalaya's Mawsynram were reportedly asked to remove their shoes and refrain from taking photographs by organisers of a Hindu religious yatra on Sunday, triggering criticism from various quarters, including local tribal groups. Debojit, a tourist from Kolkata, said he and his family were shocked when they were forced to comply with the restrictions. 'We came as tourists, but were treated in a manner we found unacceptable. There should be some logic behind such rules. I have lodged a complaint with the village elders,' he told PTI. The yatra began in recent years, but faced local opposition which led the Dorbar Shnong to impose restrictions on religious activities and littering in the area. The Meghalaya High Court in a recent order permitted the Hindu religious procession to proceed up to the cave, provided it should not disturb public order. Noted geologist Eladbor Laloo countered claims that the cave contains a 'holy Shiva Lingam'. 'The structure inside the Mawjymbuin Cave is not a holy Shiva Lingam, but a stalagmite formed through natural limestone deposition over millions of years,' Laloo stated. He explained that the cave is part of a limestone formation shaped by water seepage through cracks over geological time, forming stalactites and stalagmites. He said thousands of geology students visit the site each year as part of their academic fieldwork. Laloo urged tourism guides and stakeholders to promote the cave as a site of geological importance, not religious significance. 'Tourists must verify the origins of the places they admire before assigning religious sentiment,' he said. While the yatra organisers maintained strict protocols for their members, there was noticeably less littering in the cave vicinity and along the route – unlike in previous years, when visitors had left behind discarded plates, food, and plastic bottles. They, however, expressed satisfaction over the peaceful and successful completion of the event. Security was tight, with hundreds of police personnel and magistrates deployed along the yatra route to ensure safety and maintain order. PTI JOP NN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Coal weighing as much as 1,000 Indian elephants goes missing in Meghalaya
Days after the Meghalaya High Court criticised the state government over the unexplained disappearance of nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal from depots in two villages, a state cabinet minister suggested that monsoon rains may have swept it away. On 24 July, the bench of Justice H.S. Thangkhiew and Justice W. Diengdoh observed that 'unknown persons, it appears, have lifted and transported the coal,' and directed the government to identify and hold accountable those responsible for safeguarding it. The court also instructed authorities to 'trace the persons who have lifted this coal illegally.' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Degree Design Thinking Artificial Intelligence MBA PGDM healthcare Healthcare Product Management MCA Digital Marketing Others Technology Finance Project Management CXO Leadership Data Science others Cybersecurity Public Policy Management Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Speaking to reporters on Monday, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla said, 'Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall. You never know… because of rain, the coal might have swept away. Chances are very high.' He clarified, however, that he was not trying to justify the disappearance and admitted that there was no conclusive evidence yet to determine whether the loss was due to natural causes or illegal activity. 'I cannot blame just the rain. It could be or it could not be. I really don't have any kind of details,' he added. Authorities estimate that nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of coal are missing—an amount roughly equivalent to the combined weight of around 1,000 adult Indian elephants, assuming an average adult male Indian elephant weighs approximately 4 tonnes. Despite the substantial quantity, officials have yet to provide a clear explanation for the disappearance. Live Events Shylla emphasised that all activities related to coal mining or transportation must comply with the law, and that illegal practices must be curbed. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya in 2014, citing unsafe and unregulated mining practices, particularly the rat-hole mining technique prevalent in the state. The matter came to light after the Justice (Retd.) B.P. Katakey Committee, set up by the High Court to monitor coal mining through a public interest litigation, reported the disappearance in one of its interim reports submitted in July. The missing coal was stored at depots in Rajaju and Diengngan villages. The state government, in its status report to the Katakey Committee's 30th interim report, indicated that an FIR had been lodged. However, the court noted that 'no other information was given' in the status report.
