Jaintia Students’ Union Demands Cancellation of Shree Cement Public Hearing

Shillong: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) wants the July 31 public hearing for a proposed Shree Cement Limited project at Lum Syrman scrapped. Union leaders submitted a formal memorandum to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner on Monday. They allege the hearing was a sham.

The meeting lasted only 46 minutes. The JSU claims authorities blocked legitimate stakeholders from the venue at Lad Shnongrim. Police barricades stopped residents from entering, while hired goons dug up roads to trap protesters. One pregnant woman reportedly delivered a baby inside a vehicle stranded by the blockade.

JSU leaders Jersom Shylla, Bocheru Mi Pohsnem, Borntifulson Rupon, and Tricky Mukhim met with CPCB scientist Arnab Mandal to demand accountability. They accused local officials and police of collusion and dereliction of duty. The union now gives the government 10 days to void the proceedings and order a fresh consultation under independent monitoring.

“The Union has issued a strict 10-day ultimatum for authorities to take decisive corrective action. If unaddressed, the Union will be forced to move to higher authorities, escalate the matter to the National Green Tribunal and the High Court of Meghalaya, and initiate severe democratic agitation against the government,” the group stated.

The JSU wants all environmental impact documents from the meeting thrown out. They plan to take the fight to the National Green Tribunal and the Meghalaya High Court if their demands go unmet. Government officials have yet to respond to these claims.