High Court directed deployment of Meghalaya Police in Mawjymbuin Cave and also warned against spreading any falsehood

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 14, 2024

In order to prevent any untoward incident in Mawjymbuin Cave, East Khasi Hills District, the High Court of Meghalaya (HCM) has directed the deployment of the Meghalaya Police in the said area and also warn of appropriate actions against any person and entities for spreading falsehood and threats with regard to the use of the holy place.

The order was passed by the High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday during the trial of Writ Petition (Civil) 275 of 2024 filed by the Yatra Committee against the State of Meghalaya, Dorbar Shnong Mawsynram and others after the Yatra Committee was denied no objection certificate by the Dorbar Shnong Mawsynram for conducting the annual pilgrimage in Mawjymbuin Cave.

The Court said, “It has further been brought to the notice of the Court that certain persons and entities have been active in spreading falsehood and threats with regard to the use of the holy place. It is put to general information that in the event such further falsehood is spread, appropriate action will be taken by this Court immediately on the same being taken notice of.” The Court also directed that Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District to instruct the Officer-in-charge, Mawsynram Police Station to place a picket of police personnel for maintenance of security in the said area.

“As the matter deserves further consideration before any final orders are passed, this Court considers it expedient that a committee be formed to look into the entire aspect of the matter and how the cave is to be managed, keeping in mind the sanctity of the place, environmental consideration and also religious consideration,” said the Court order.

The Court directed the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District present in Court to propose the names of the entities and persons or stake holders who will constitute the Committee to examine the matter and to arrive at a solution that is acceptable to all. The Deputy Commissioner undertakes to supply the list of the prospective constituents of the Committee within one week from Wednesday and listed the matter on 22nd of this month for supply of the list and for further orders.

Meanwhile, responding to the Court’s direction for reconsideration of their decision for not issuing NOC for the annual pilgrimage, Mawsynram Assistant Rangbah Shnong and spokesperson H. Rapsang expressed their inability to come to any resolution in view of the paucity of time and in order to come to a proper consensus and to evolve certain procedures to allow peaceful visitation to the said site, some more consultation is necessary. He also submitted before the Court that they accept and know the fact that the Krem Mawjymbuin is an important tourist attraction, apart from being a sacred place venerated by many worshipers of different faiths.

On the submission of Mawsynram Assistant Rangbah Shnong, Yatra Committee’s advocate S.Jindal informed that it is understood that due to the paucity of time, may be a decision or resolution could not be arrived at, and has agreed under instructions, that for this year perhaps the proposed yatra be called off to await further developments in this regard.

The Court observed that it is indeed unfortunate that no resolution could be arrived at to allow the petitioners organization to organize the yatra which is sacred to them in their belief. The Court also noted the concession made by the petitioners’ organization that they are willing to call off the said yatra to await a resolution of the entire matter.