In Nalbari district of Assam, a brick kiln operated by JPIS Brick Manufacturing Unit and a stone crusher run by PASA Stone Crusher Unit on the Pagladiya riverbed, have sparked environmental and social concerns.
Local residents Mukul Haloi and Mridul Haloi filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), alleging that these units violate the [Assam Brick Kilns Establishment and Regulation Rules, 2013](https://www.pcbassam.org/Notice/Brick Kiln in Assam_Estblmnt & Regulation Rules_2013_MBardaloi_Retype.pdf) and the [Assam Stone Crusher Establishment and Regulation Rules, 2013](https://www.pcbassam.org/Notice/Stone Crusher in Assam_Estblmnt & Regulation Rules_2013_MBardaloi.pdf).
The petition, filed on 27 November 2024, claimed that the units threaten air quality, riverine biodiversity, and public health due to their proximity to the river and residential areas. The petition also mentioned that no public hearing was conducted by the Chengnoi Gram Panchayat regarding the unit’s permission, and the land classification remains unverified.
In addition to the specific violations, the petitioners expressed broader concerns regarding the already poor air quality in Nalbari. They highlighted a high number of cancer cases in the area, the disruption of wild elephants that use the riverbed for foraging, and the threat to the diverse aquatic and terrestrial wildlife that inhabits the ecologically rich Pagladiya riverbed.
Moreover, Nalbari is a flood-prone area located close to the Brahmaputra river, thereby, making enforcement of environmental rules necessary.
On 3 April 2025, the NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata, presided over by Justice B. Amit Sthalekar and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, took cognizance of the petition and issued notices to the Assam government, Assam State Pollution Control Board (ASPCB), Nalbari District Magistrate, and the units.
A joint committee, comprising ASPCB and district officials, was ordered to conduct a site visit and submit a report. During a hearing on 7 May 2025, the tribunal directed respondents to file counter-affidavits within two weeks.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Opposition against environmental degradation
Demand to cancel the project
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
No
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Water bodies, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Violation of environmental laws
Violation of fundamental rights
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Original Application No. 46/2025/EZ (previously OA No. 41/2025/PB)
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Assam government, Assam State Pollution Control Board (APC), District Magistrate of Nalbari
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
M/s JPIS Brick Manufacturing Unit, M/s PASA Stone Crusher Unit
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Residents near Pagladiya riverbed
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
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