Guwahati: All activities of Shree Cement in Meghalaya will remain suspended while an independent fact-finding committee examines the environmental, social, legal and criminal concerns raised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).

The Meghalaya government has also assured the KSU that the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills will have no role in the committee, either directly or indirectly.

The developments were brought before the Meghalaya High Court on Monday during the hearing of PIL No. 17 of 2026, filed by Neilkee Mukhim. Additional Advocate General Tshering Yangi B. placed an affidavit submitted by Home (Political) Commissioner and Secretary Rosetta Mary Kurbah before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh.

The affidavit was filed in compliance with the court’s September 1 order. It stated that a meeting held on August 26 with various stakeholders, including KSU representatives, had agreed to constitute an independent committee headed by a senior government officer to examine the issues and establish the facts.

According to the government, operations at the Shree Cement plant will remain suspended throughout the committee’s tenure. While the panel conducts its inquiry, the East Jaintia Hills district administration and police will be responsible for preventing any untoward incidents, while a district team will provide assistance to the committee.

During Monday’s hearing, counsel for the petitioner, G. Syngkrem, submitted a fresh affidavit dated September 7, along with photographs and a pen drive, alleging lapses on the part of the authorities. The court took the material on record, while the AAG sought time to examine the submissions. The matter has been listed for September 29.

Meanwhile, following a meeting with Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed and other officials on Tuesday over the KSU’s five-point charter of demands, former KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah said the government had accepted the union’s objection to the involvement of the East Jaintia Hills DC and SP in the fact-finding process.

Earlier minutes of a meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had stated that the two district officials would play a “vital role” in the committee.

“We highly objected to that,” Thabah said, adding that the government had subsequently clarified that the DC, SP and other district-level officials would not be part of the panel in any capacity.

According to Thabah, the committee has already been constituted and the names of its members are expected to be shared with the KSU within the next couple of days. The union has also sought proper documentation of the discussions held during its earlier meeting with the Chief Minister.