Khliehriat, May 19: Residents of Daistong in East Jaintia Hills have drawn a hard line ahead of the May 22 public hearing for Shree Cement’s limestone mine at Lumshyrman, declaring the hearing “will proceed as announced” and warning pressure groups to keep out of Elaka affairs.
Himon Pajuh of Daistong directly addressed the Jaintia National Council and Jaintia Students Union, urging them “not to interfere” on the day of the hearing. “It lies in the wisdom of the Elaka to deal with it and if the NGOs interfere they will not take responsibility,” he said.
It is not only pressure groups but a section of residents as well who have come out strongly against the public hearing, such as farmers from Shnongrim, due to environmental and land concerns. Today, certain villagers from Daistong also publicly opposed the move.
On the Shree Cement side, however, Jesper Pajuh, also from Daistong, said only “a few” residents have been “misled” into opposing the hearing.
“We have agreed to the public hearing from the start and stand united for it scheduled on May 22,” he said. “Any NGOs will not be allowed inside the Elaka because everyone supports the public hearing except for a few that have been misled.”
Hiwon Pajuh thanked the Elaka for bringing in Shree Cement as the project will “bring development to the district and employment opportunities, especially those who will be employed at the company.”
On the opposing side, farmers under Elaka Nongkhlieh insisted that no farmland has been sold to Shree Cement and rejected any assertion that “all procedures have been met” for the farmland to be given over for limestone mining at Lumshyrman.
Medawan Sukhlain from Daistong condemned the barring of pressure groups from Elaka Nongkhlieh. “No such rules ever existed before,” he said.
He also said Daistong residents with land at Lumshyrman opposed a “secret meeting” the Elaka allegedly held at Moolasngi on May 16.
“We are surprised to hear the Secretary saying everything has been ironed out related to lands and compensation of the farmers,” said Bunlangki Sukhlaiñ, a farmer under Elaka Nongkhlieh. “We will not accept such false statements. It is misleading the public.”
Bunlangki added that “no farmland has been sold to Shree Cement” and claimed those who attended the May 16 meeting at Moolasngi “are people who do not even possess land at Lumshyrman.”
Hanidabiang Sukhlain from Shnongrim said she fears losing her farmland and the destruction of water sources if mining begins. “I express sorrow at the thought that I will lose my farmlands, the destruction of water sources and forests if Shree Cement mines limestone at Lumshyrman,” she said.
