A state-level inspection committee is verifying allegations that the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in Ri-Bhoi district encroached on forest land, following a report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court.
The issue came to the fore after Assam BJP leader Jitul Deka filed a petition, prompting the CEC to scrutinize land ownership around the private university.
In its report, submitted to the Supreme Court Registrar on September 15, the CEC alleged that USTM had illegally occupied more than 25 hectares of deemed forest land in two phases—13.62 hectares in one instance and 12.13 hectares in another—in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It further recommended penalties of over ₹150 crore.
The development has triggered sharp opposition from local communities. Thousands of villagers from 12 villages in Killing area, under the banner of the All Killing Durbar Committee, staged a mass rally at Jorbil ground, accusing the petitioner of meddling in land traditionally belonging to local institutions. Community leaders warned that such disputes could destabilize peace in the sensitive Assam-Meghalaya border region.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Wednesday that the inspection committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi, has been directed to verify the CEC’s findings. During its site visits, the panel reportedly found evidence of illegal mining and recommended suspension of all quarrying, stone-crushing, and mining activities in the district pending further review.
The Meghalaya government, in its submission to the court, maintained that land allotments to USTM were made under existing legal provisions. It said fines had already been imposed and collected in cases where violations were detected.
The CEC, which advises the Supreme Court on environmental compliance and forest law violations, observed that USTM’s land diversion had been carried out without the mandatory forest clearance. The case now places the university and the state administration under judicial scrutiny, with the Supreme Court expected to take up the matter in the coming weeks.