1 Serial No.18 Regular List HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG WP(C). No. 400 of 2023 Date of Decision: 05.08.2025 1. Shri. Ling Tariang S/o (L) Shri. O. Suting R/o Jarain Village, Amlarem-Subdivision West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya Pin-793161. 2. Shri. Dimimemon Tariang S/o (L) Werlang Khongshah R/o Thangbuli Village, Amlarem-Subdivision West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya Pin-793161 …Petitioners -Versus- 1. The State of Meghalaya Represented by the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya Government of Meghalaya. 2. The Commissioner & Secretary Public Health and Engineering Department, Government of Meghalaya, Shillong. 3. The Chief Engineer Public Health and Engineering Department, Government of Meghalaya, Shillong. 4. The Executive Engineer (PHE) Rural Water Supply Sub-Division, Jowai, West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya. 2025:MLHC:689 2 5. The Sub-Divisional Officer (PHE), Special Investigation Sub-Division, Amlarem, West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya. 6. The Secretary, Executive Committee, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, Jowai, Meghalaya. …Respondents Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.S.Thangkhiew, Judge Appearance: For the Petitioner/Applicant(s) : Ms. P.S.Nongbri, Adv. Mr. S.Marpan, Adv. For the Respondent(s) : Ms. Z.E.Nongkynrih,GA for R 1-5. Mr. S.R.Lyngdoh, Adv. for R 6. i) Whether approved for reporting in Yes/No Law journals etc: ii) Whether approved for publication Yes/No in press: JUDGMENT AND ORDER (ORAL) 1. The writ petitioners, who are stated to be members of the Raid Amwi, on being authorized by other members of the Raid, are before this Court with a prayer that the petitioners and other members professing the Niam Shnong be allowed to offer prayers at their sacred religious site i.e. the Thlumuwi river located at West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. The petitioners, it appears, as 2025:MLHC:689 3 per the submissions of Ms. P.S.Nongbri, learned counsel, have been prevented from carrying out the rituals, as in the said site itself, the PHE Department of Amlarem Sub-Division will be implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme for water supply. Learned counsel submitted that the source of the water for this scheme is from Thlumuwi itself, and that she has been compelled to approach this Court, inasmuch as, on being prevented by the respondent No. 5 from offering prayers, though representations had been filed, the same were not addressed or attended to. 2. Ms. Z.E.Nongkynrih, learned GA appearing for the respondents No. 1-5, has referred to the affidavit and submitted that the apprehension expressed by the writ petitioners is misplaced, inasmuch as, there is no restrictions for the petitioners or members of the Raid to offer their prayers as long as the same does not disrupt the implementation of the project. She therefore, submits that there is nothing left for consideration in the instant writ petition, inasmuch as, the scheme has since been implemented. As such, she prays that the matter be disposed of. 3. Ms. P.S.Nongbri, learned counsel for the petitioners, however, has raised another issue and submits that even in the Raid Amwi itself, there is a dispute as to the administration of the Raid and the Lyngdoh and that the same is pending adjudication before a Civil Court. She submits that under 2025:MLHC:689 4 the circumstances, as there is an undertaking from the State respondents that there shall be no restriction, this writ petition can be closed. 4. On hearing the learned counsel and their submissions, and also on the fact that the State respondents on affidavit have undertaken that there will be no restrictions, the main prayer in the writ petition therefore, does not survive for consideration and the writ petition is accordingly closed and disposed of. Judge 2025:MLHC:689 Digitally signed by SAMANTHA ANNA LIYA RYNJAH Date: 2025.08.05 07:10:59 IST