SHILLONG, SEPT 4: The High Court of Meghalaya has admitted the Jaintia Students’ Union’s (JSU) petition against Shree Cement, with the State Government submitting an affidavit that all company operations will remain on hold during inquiry.

“The company cannot proceed with any groundwork or operations while this inquiry is active,” the JSU said on Friday, calling it “a massive win.”

The State has proposed a Fact-Finding Committee to probe environmental, social and legal aspects, but the JSU has demanded a court-monitored inquiry, stating “the government cannot be trusted to impartially investigate its own failures.”

The next hearing is on September 7.

The JSU said the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission has asked it to file its views by September 28 on police and district administration reports, which it termed “vague and evasive.”

It alleged the reports cover up excessive force against peaceful protesters and acknowledged an ambush on its medical rescue team.