Shillong: The calculated silence on the issue of mining in forest areas and violation of Forest Act, 1980 by cement companies’ in Jaintia Hills or rather by official custodians of forests who have issued no objection certificates (NOC) in such forest lands till now, is being challenged vide a public interest litigation filed by the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF).

The JYF filed their PIL against a set of respondents including the State Government, in the Supreme Court. Chief Justice of India who heard the case, in his ruling on April 20, this year disposed off the matter with liberty for JYF to file the petition in any other appropriate court first.