Gauhati HC schools Assam govt over allotment of 3,000 bighas of tribal land to private firm
Asks, "Are you giving an entire district? Is this a joke?"
Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has strongly criticised the Assam government’s decision to allot nearly 3,000 bighas of tribal land in Dima Hasao district to a private cement company, Mahabal Cements, for mining operations. The court emphasised that public interest should take precedence over private gains.
During a recent hearing, Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi expressed astonishment at the land allocation, saying, “3,000 bighas! The entire district? What is going on? A private company being given 3,000 bighas? We know how barren the land is, but 3,000 bighas? What kind of decision is this? Is this some kind of joke? Public interest, not private interest, is what matters.”
The observations came after arguments presented on behalf of the company, which claimed that the land was barren and essential for operating its cement plant.
The allotment has drawn criticism from opposition parties and local groups. Earlier, a Congress delegation, led by then state unit president Bhupen Kumar Borah and current Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, met the Governor to raise concerns on behalf of indigenous communities from Borolokhindong, Tharvelangso, and nearby villages.
In a memorandum, the Congress alleged that the government was preparing to hand over nearly 9,000 bighas in Dima Hasao to corporate interests with close links to the ruling BJP, disregarding the rights and sentiments of tribal communities. “This is not just a land issue. It’s about survival and safeguarding the identity of Dima Hasao’s indigenous people,” the memorandum stated.
Reacting to the court’s comments, Assam Congress accused the BJP government of “blatant crony capitalism,” highlighting the alleged favouritism shown to private corporations. In a post on X, the party said, “Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma handed over 3,000 bighas (81 million sq ft) of tribal land to Adani for a cement factory. The BJP government’s actions shamelessly hand over the country’s resources to corporate allies, while the poor are left to struggle.”
The Adani Group on Monday, however, dismissed reports that it has been allotted land by the Assam government for a cement plant in the state, terming them baseless, false, and misleading.
"It has come to our notice that certain news reports, social media posts and clips from court hearings are being circulated, claiming that the Assam government has allotted 3,000 bighas in Dima Hasao to the Adani Group for a cement plant,” the Adani Group spokesperson said.
"We categorically state that these reports and references are baseless, false and misleading. Linking the Adani name to Mahabal Cement is mischievous. Mahabal Cement is not related to, owned by or connected with the Adani Group in any manner whatsoever," the spokesperson clarified according to IANS.
This will blow your mind 🤯🔥
— Ankit Mayank (@mr_mayank) August 17, 2025
Assam BJP Govt gave 3,000 bigha (81 million sqft) to Adani to build a cement factory 🤯
Even the HC Judge got shocked — “Is this a joke? Are you giving an entire district?”
Himanta needs to go to jail, his end is coming 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8WgifsLItO
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
