Shillong: The Khasi Jaintia Youth and Student Union and the Indigenous Biodiversity and Social Welfare Organisation are fighting a new mining project in East Jaintia Hills. They demanded that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority and the Fact-Finding Committee scrap the July 31 public hearing for Shree Cement Ltd’s Lum Syrman Limestone Block-A project. The groups claim the session violated the 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment rules because residents opposing the mine were intimidated and silenced.
KJYSU general secretary D Shullet and IBSWO president G Lakiang warned of mass agitation across East and West Jaintia Hills. They intend to block company vehicles and take the battle to the High Court or the National Green Tribunal in Kolkata. The activists argue the site is a critical wildlife habitat, ancestral farmland, and a vital water catchment for the Lukha and Myntang rivers. They stated, "The groups warned that they would launch an agitation across East and West Jaintia Hills if the public hearing is ratified."
Local tension remains high. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board confirmed on October 14 that it passed the file to the SEIAA in Shillong for a final decision on the clearance. Beyond this specific project, the two groups accused cement giants like Topcem, Star Cement, and Dalmia of failing to build schools, improve roads, or hire local workers despite massive profits. The unions now support Elaka Nongkhlieh residents who have filed their own formal complaint against the mining lease.
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