Shillong: Five activist groups swarmed the Deputy Commissioner's office in Khliehriat on August 17. They targeted the Woh Kiang Nangbah statue for a sit-in protest. The Jaintia National Council, Jaintia Student Union, Khasi Students’ Union, Hima Sutnga Youth Federation, and Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People led the charge.
The groups want the state government to scrap the recent public hearing held by Shree Cement Ltd at Daistong in Elaka Nongkhlieh. They claim the process ignored the people. Tensions boiled over during the event. Protesters set fire to effigies of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla, and Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla.
The coalition now demands a total cancellation of the hearing. They insist the state must prioritize land rights for those in Elaka Sutnga and Nongkhlieh. They also protect the interests of farmers working the land at Lum Syrman. The groups remain firm in their stance against the current project plans.
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