Guwahati, Aug. 18 -- 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 for mining operations.

During a recent hearing, Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi questioned the rationale behind the move, observing, "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 remarks came after submissions were made in favour of Mahabal Cements, which argued that the land was barren and necessary for the functioning of its plant....