Shillong: Riniwanki Sukhlain gave birth inside an ambulance on a dirt road near Lad Tongseng on Friday. Pro-project supporters of Shree Cement dug trenches and pelted stones to stop locals from reaching a public hearing. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board meeting took place at Daistong while the road remained impassable.
Sukhlain, a resident of Nongkhlieh, went into labor while heading to a hospital. The blockade forced her to deliver without any medical help. After the birth, she and her newborn had to be physically moved across the damaged road to reach another vehicle. They were desperate for care.
District officials in East Jaintia Hills ignored the chaos to focus on the hearing. Additional Deputy Commissioner A. Nongbri claimed the event went "well." The KSU and HYC now slam the administration for prioritizing corporate interests over public safety. The incident highlights the dangerous tensions surrounding local limestone mining projects.
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