GUWAHATI, Aug. 19 -- The Gauhati high court has expressed reservations over a state government decision to allot 3,000 bighas (around 990 acres) of land in Dima Hasao district to a private company to set up a cement factory. "3,000 bighas? The entire district? What is going on? 3,000 bighas allotted to a private company?" Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi verbally remarked while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by 22 residents who would be affected by the land allotment. The proposed land was allocated in Dima Hasao, one of the two hill districts of Assam, which is under the 6th Schedule of Constitution that specifies priority should be given to the rights and interests of the tribal people in the area. Along with Karbi Anglong, the other hill district under 6th Schedule, Dima Hasao has many minerals and limestone reserves. "We know how barren the land is. What kind of decision is this? Is this some kind of joke or what? Your need is not the issue, the public interest is the issue," Justice Medhi remarked when the counsellor for the cement company, Mahabal Cement Pvt Ltd, said that the land being allotted is barren. In its order, the court held that the area involved, Umrangso in Dima Hasao, is known as an environment hotspot containing hot springs, and being a stop over for migratory birds, wildlife, etc. "A cursory glance into the facts of the case would reveal that the land which has been sought to be allotted is about 3000 bighas which itself appears to be extraordinary," the court order, which HT has seen, said. The counsel for the cement company argued that the allotment has been made pursuant to a mining lease granted under a tender process. Not satisfied with this, the court directed the counsel for North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NHCAC) to obtain the records containing the policy to allot such a huge chunk of land for a factory. The matter has been listed for next hearing on September 1....