Shillong, Oct 7: A delegation from the Jaintia National Council (JNC) today met Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon and submitted a memorandum to him seeking the urgent intervention on critical matters relating to Jaintia Hills.
The JNC informed Syngkon that an initiative called the Save Jaintia Mission was launched last year to revive the socio-economic and cultural vitality of East and West Jaintia Hills, balancing environmental conservation with economic growth.
Syngkon was told that an historical wrong has been done to the Pnar people by alienating land historically belonging to the erstwhile Jaintia kingdom, specifically the areas known as Block 1 and Block 2 that are now under the control of Assam. The JNC called for the lands to be returned to Jaintia Hills or, for land where this is infeasible, for financial restitution to be made.
The JNC also highlighted the damage to the Jaintia Hills economy caused by the National Green Tribunal’s ban on rat-hole coal mining (though it did not use this term in the memo) in 2014. While scientific mining has been permitted, the conditions for these permits are prohibitive for those with less means. The JNC therefore called for Syngkon to push for the restart of small-scale mining operations with new standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Meanwhile, the JNC separately urged for immediate parliamentary intervention over the delay and poor quality of work on National Highway 6 in the Jaiñtia Hills.
Despite being a project worth hundreds of crores of rupees and being vital for connectivity in the region, the construction has been marred by delays, substandard work and design flaws, the JNC told Syngkon.
The MP was told that the Meghalaya High Court had directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to complete NH-6 by August 2025 but, as of October 2025, work remains incomplete. It named two contractors – Purbanchal Buildtech Pvt Ltd and Dhar Construction Company Ltd – for slow progress and “poor workmanship” and called for the central government to consider blacklisting defaulting contractors.
Other issues highlighted by the JNC include the claim that the new NH-6 is narrower than the old highway, creating daily congestion and compromising safety for heavy vehicles; the use of concrete cement in a rain-prone, hilly area has led to early cracking and surface damage; absence of proper drainage threatens long-term road durability and nearby farmland; newly built sections, especially around Khliehriat, are already deteriorating, suggesting poor-quality materials and inadequate supervision.
The JNC appealed for a special inspection and technical audit of NH-6, accountability from NHAI and contractors for negligence, disciplinary and financial action against those responsible and timely completions with proper quality control and transparency.
Syngkon, the JNC said in a press release, has assured that he will take up the matter seriously, including by personally inspecting the road, and pursue necessary action for the welfare and development of Jaiñtia Hills.
