Guwahati, Sept. 1 -- The Gauhati High Court has expressed profound dismay, describing itself as "perturbed, curious, and shocked" over the Assam government's decision to allocate 3,000 bighas (approximately 991 acres) of tribal land in Dima Hasao district to Mahabal Cement Private Limited for a cement factory.

Our sources confirmed that during a hearing on Monday Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi questioned the rationale behind granting such a vast tract in a Sixth Schedule area, where tribal rights and environmental concerns are paramount, and demanded details on whether environmental clearances were obtained.

The court's remarks, live-streamed on its YouTube channel, have ignited widespread public and political debate.

The land, located in ...