Assam: The Gauhati High Court has raised concerns over the issue of land allotment in the Dima Hasao district of Assam to a private company. This relates to the allotment of nearly 3,000 bighas of land in the district linked to a Mahabal Cements for mining purposes.
During the hearing, Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi expressed astonishment at the scale of the land grant, remarking, “3,000 bighas! The entire district? What is going on? 3,000 bighas allotted to a private company? We know how barren the land is… 3,000 bighas? What kind of decision is this? Is this some kind of joke or what? Your need is not the issue; the public interest is the issue.”
The judge noted that the land in question lies in Dima Hasao, a district covered by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, under which priority must be given to the rights and interests of local tribal communities. The area specifically involved is Umrangso, described in court records as an environmental hotspot that contains hot springs and serves as a stopover for migratory birds and wildlife.
The court directed the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) to obtain and place on record the records detailing the policy and process by which the land was allotted to Mahabal Cements. The matter has been listed for the next hearing on September 1.
The court’s observations came in response to submissions regarding the company’s operations in the hill district. Counsel representing the cement firm argued that the land allotted was barren and required for the functioning of the plant.
