The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Meghalaya High Court, challenging the public hearing held on July 31, 2026, for the proposed Shree Cement Limited mining project at Lum Syrman, Elaka Nongkhlieh. The PIL was filed by a JSU delegation led by Education Secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem and General Secretary Neilkee Mukhim. The union approached the High Court after its complaints to the district administration and police failed to result in any action.
Proceedings before the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) are still pending. According to the JSU, the public hearing, which lasted around 46 minutes, did not allow local landowners and other indigenous stakeholders to participate. The JSU alleged that people were stopped from reaching the venue and that an incident during the protest resulted in the attack of a JSU ambulance.
The ambulance driver, Rapbor Mukhim, suffered head injuries after stones were thrown at the vehicle. The union also alleged that police used tear gas against protesters while failing to take action against those who attacked them. The JSU claimed that the FIR registered in connection with the incident was filed under sections that allowed the accused to get bail.
The union stated that approaching the High Court was its final institutional recourse to protect the rights of the indigenous people and seek justice. The JSU has warned that if the High Court does not take cognisance of the matter, it may launch public protests along with civil society groups across the region. The union said it would continue its efforts until the issues surrounding the public hearing and the proposed mining project are addressed.
