By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 11: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in the state to ensure that the existing protocol is strictly adhered to while granting permission or issuing a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fishing competitions.
The court had earlier registered a PIL based on a letter written by one Joannes JTL Lamare. The letter, addressed to the former Chief Justice of the court, cited inconveniences caused to the general public during fishing competitions.
The court disposed of the PIL on December 10 following a hearing during which the petitioner was not represented. The status report, filed in compliance of the order dated 27.10.2025, was taken on record.
“In the absence of any response to the said affidavit, we dispose of this public interest litigation by directing the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of the respective districts to ensure that the protocol mentioned in…the report is strictly adhered to while considering any request for permission or issuance of NOC for organizing fishing competitions,” a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice HS Thangkhiew, said in an order.
The court said all NOCs and clearances of the authorities concerned, departments and the Durbar Shnong are to be carefully examined by the Deputy Commissioner.
“The Deputy Commissioner concerned, while processing the application for permission for organising fishing competition, would consider the fulfilment of certain conditions,” the court ordered.
According to the court, the granting of permission for organising a fishing competition is subject to the concurrence of multiple authorities, including SP, Block Development Officer and Fisheries department.
The court said each of them would be required to furnish the requisite recommendation or clearance within the sphere of their jurisdiction. It is expected that all of them shall adhere to the norms and protocols before granting permissions, the court said.
“In the event, the organiser flouts any of the terms and conditions as stipulated in the order granting such permission, immediate action should be taken against the organiser under the relevant provisions of law, depending upon the nature of the violation, such as the Motor Vehicles Act, 1998 and the Control of National Highways (land and traffic) Act, 2002,” the court said.
