Khliehriat, Jul 31: The statutory environmental public hearing for Shree Cement’s proposed Rs 1,800 crore integrated cement plant and limestone mining project at Lum Syrman in Nongkhlieh Elaka, East Jaintia Hills was held on Friday amid allegations that police stopped landowners and farmers from attending.
Conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), the hearing was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Alertson Nongbri. It began at 8am and ended 46 minutes later.
Landowners and farmers from Lum Syrman and Shnongrim village said they were prevented by state police at Lad Shnongrim from reaching the venue. They alleged that despite producing an order from the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills directing that landowners be allowed to participate, they were denied entry.
“We requested the police to allow us to attend the public hearing to express our concerns regarding the Shree Cement project, but they did not let us in,” the landowners said, condemning the action as a violation of their rights and an undermining of the very purpose of the consultation for those most affected.
Pressure groups, including the Jaintia Students Union (JSU), alleged further obstruction. The JSU claimed stones were pelted by project supporters and that a 200m stretch of road at Tongseng Hill was dug up, forcing them and people from Elaka Sutnga to turn back.
A video also surfaced on the same route showing the road dug up, with those in the opposition and support standing opposite each other on either side even as stones were pelted from a hill top. In the video, a vehicle transporting a pregnant woman to hospital was also seen stranded and inconvenienced.
The Deputy Commissioner’s office later clarified that Riniwanki Sukhlain of Shnongrim village delivered a baby girl weighing 2.96kg at 11:15am at Sutnga CHC, not in the vehicle, as viral videos had purported. The office said she went into labour around 4:30am and was then referred to Sutnga CHC.
The family left at 8:30am in an ambulance but was delayed by around 45 minutes due to “poor road conditions.” Another vehicle arranged by the Waheh Shnong of Lelad village picked them up at 9:15am. The patient reached Sutnga CHC at 10:15am and delivered her baby under medical supervision. Both mother and child are reported to be healthy and remain under observation at the CHC, the office said.
JSU education secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem rejected the hearing as the government’s “private hearing” and said an FIR would be filed Saturday.
“If there is no action from the police, we will even move the High Court of Meghalaya,” he said.
He also condemned Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the Home portfolio. “He was the one who said that those who support and oppose should attend the public hearing and directed that law and order must be maintained. But with today’s event it is evident that his statement is all false. He has given false hopes and his statements are all false. We demand for his resignation for not keeping his word,” Pohsnem said.
The JSU alleged police arrested JNC leaders including president Sambormi Lyngdoh, general secretary Wanshwa Suting, assistant secretary Allmiki Ryngkhlem and executive member Hillarius Siangshai. There was no official confirmation. The union said it was trying to trace publicity secretary Mebanteilang Sukhlain.
The Jaintia Students Movement (JSM) said the four leaders were arrested on Thursday while on their way to support the people of Daistong village, who were opposing the public hearing.
Demanding their immediate unconditional release, JSM said the arrest violates the democratic rights of the people and amounts to intimidation of those opposing the Shree Cement project.
The organisation warned that if the district administration fails to release the JNC leaders within 24 hours, it will be compelled to launch a strong agitation.
At the public hearing venue, village elders from Nongkhlieh Elaka, Bamkhoosngi and Tongseng-Nongkhlieh voiced support for the project, citing economic development and jobs for local youth.
Doloi of Nongkhlieh Elaka Na-o-kyrmen Sukhlaiñ said the Elaka has accepted the proposal as it will drive regional development. He urged the company to begin operations at the earliest and expressed hope it would create employment for young people.
Former secretary Willingson Sukhlaiñ echoed the support but stressed the need to sustain environmental safeguards throughout the project, and said the community expects responsible execution alongside economic benefits.
Nangiaid Pashiang, headman of Bamkhoosngi, described the area’s limestone reserves as “a blessing.” He said farming alone was no longer sufficient and that the project could provide jobs at a time when government employment is scarce.
“Therefore, the Elaka had decided to support the project,” Pashiang said.
According to the company’s presentation, the lease area at Lum Syrman under Nongkhlieh Elaka covers 217.394 hectares with a project cost of over Rs 73 crore. Shree Cement currently operates 19 cement plants in India and one in the UAE.
MSPCB officials said the report of the hearing will be submitted to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for further consideration.
‘Govt machinery used to silence locals’
Voice of the People Party (VPP) president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent M Basaiawmoit today alleged that the Meghalaya government deliberately prevented those opposing Shree Cement Ltd’s limestone quarry from voicing their concerns at a public hearing today and questioned who stands to benefit from the suppression.
Responding to reports that authorities stopped opponents of the project at Lum Shyrman, Elaka Nongkhlieh, from attending the hearing held today morning, Basaiawmoit said the administration had used its machinery to silence local residents instead of listening to them.
He recalled that as early as February 2025, the late Shillong MP, Ricky AJ Syngkon (who was from the VPP), had written to the central government seeking a halt to the Shree Cement project at Daistong.
“We have done everything within our authority,” he said, adding that the government chose to ignore the concerns raised.
Basaiawmoit said the issue would be one of the key matters raised during the VPP’s planned march to surround the Secretariat on August 6.
