Shillong: The Jaiñtia National Council pushed the Meghalaya government for an independent investigation into the proposed Shree Cement project at Lum Syrman. The council filed a formal representation on Tuesday with the state’s Fact-Finding Committee. They want a probe into murky land records and the July 31 violence that derailed a public hearing.
Discrepancies plague the project files. The Final Environmental Impact Assessment for Lum Syrman Limestone Block-A claims Shree Cement bought 217.394 hectares for Rs 5.44 crore. However, Dolloi N. Sukhlaïn and Elaka Secretary F Bareh claimed on August 19 that the deal was a lease, not a sale. The JNC now demands the committee summon all original transaction deeds and memoranda of understanding to verify the true nature of these payments.
The group also flagged a conflict between a 652.24-hectare Non-Forest Land Certificate issued in July 2025 and a 217.394-hectare mining licence granted in August 2025. They want the panel to reconcile these records through authenticated maps and boundary coordinates. JNC leaders stated, "The JNC urged the committee to record depositions from affected landholders, traditional heads of Elaka Nongkhlieh, community representatives, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, and project officials before submitting its findings."
Scrutiny must also cover the chaos from July 31. Protesters faced detentions on July 30, and the subsequent hearing saw stone-pelting, damaged vehicles, and the destruction of a PWD road. The council expects the committee to check police station general diaries, vehicle logs, and official detention orders to confirm the sequence of events. The Meghalaya government currently enforces a status quo on all project activities while this inquiry continues.
Updated at 30th September 2026 at 2:15pm
The legal fight moved to the Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday. Additional Advocate General T Yangi B told the bench that the state-appointed Fact-Finding Committee is actively reviewing the project grievances, including the unrest on July 30. The court directed that all documents, including those from petitioner Neilkee Mukhim, be handed over to the panel.
Petitioner counsel confirmed that all relevant affidavits and evidence would reach the committee by the September 29 cutoff. The court has set October 29 for the next hearing to track the progress of the inquiry.
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