Shillong: Activists are drawing a line in the sand. The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations, alongside the Hynniewtrep Youth Council, Jaintia National Council, and Confederation of Ri Bhoi People, refuses to back down. They want ironclad protections for Daistong Elaka Nongkhlieh farmers before any cement project moves forward.
Shree Cement Limited plans a limestone mine covering 217 hectares. Locals fear the total footprint will reach 600 hectares, destroying forests and water sources. A public hearing remains on the calendar for July 31. Tensions are running high. The groups demand that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma settle all land disputes before the state grants environmental clearance.
CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem set the tone for the opposition. "We have made our stand very clear that the state government must first remove all hurdles and resolve the grievances of the affected landowners before granting environmental clearance to the project," he said.
The groups find the 8 a.m. start time suspicious. It cuts two hours from the standard morning schedule. Past attempts to hold this hearing failed. On May 22, protesters at Lum Syrman disrupted the process with stone-pelting and arson. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board scrapped the event to stop the violence.
Critics point to existing factories in East Jaintia Hills. They claim these sites leave locals with menial jobs while outsiders grab technical roles. The groups now demand a study on industrial impact before more projects get the green light. They will wait for the outcome of the July 31 hearing before planning their next move.
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