Landmark judgements which affect the society have taken place this year. It’s safe to say that the Judiciary has played a very active part in deciding how the State will be shaped in the future. From the National Green Tribunal ban imposed on coal mining in the state resulting in the turmoil of every possible political move in the larger context of the state to the man made carnage in Garo Hills bringing shame to  the state and country. However all was not lost as the state leadership caused the oldest militant groups of Garo Hills, ANVC and ANVC(B), to surrender and disband their outfits.

Nature’s fury was seen by the state of Meghalaya when the State faced its worst floods in Garo Hills. On the brighter note, Ri, the movie won accolades all over the country.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) BAN on coal mining

Interim ban on rat-hole coal mining was imposed by the green court on April 17. The ban evoked a lot of protest and silent marches. The strictness of the green court bench was seen when experts too were removed for poor performance. As it stands the court has allowed the transportation of the coal but there is complete ban on mining. 

“Article 21 of the Constitution of India, gives prominence to the right to life, than any other interest including economic interest of the state or the individuals. It will be travesty of justice if in our country, the largest democracy in the world, economic interests are to take precedence over the fundamental right to life and to live in a healthy environment. More so, when the reason for such precedence is that non-permitting of an illegal activity is likely to hurt a section of the society economically,”  Justice Swatanter Kumar.

Headmen certificates illegal and unconstitutional

It is illegal for any office in administration, police and the government to ask a person to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the headman of the person’s locality. The High Court also stated that no rule of law has empowered the headmen to issue NOC’s or to interfere with the administration or indulge in removing people from villages as per their whims and fancies. 

Militant Political Nexus 

An array of finger pointing between the leaders and political stalwarts took place when it was alleged that some ministers had political nexus with the militants. A charge, which is not yet proven, showed how the state leaders were swimming in murky waters of dirty politics.