Shillong, Aug 1: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) have accused the state government, police and Shree Cement of orchestrating intimidation, road sabotage and violence in the lead-up to and during the public hearing for the company’s proposed integrated cement plant and limestone mining project at Lum Syrman, East Jaintia Hills on Friday.
In a statement JNC central president Sambormi Lyngdoh alleged that state-backed actions were carried out a day before the public hearing to suppress opposition. Six JNC members, including Lyngdoh, were intercepted and detained by police at Umpleng while on their way to express solidarity with residents of Elaka Sutnga and nearby villages.
The JNC claimed they were treated “like criminals” and that police resorted to lathi charges. It further alleged that residents opposing the project were subjected to intimidation and coercion, and that police personnel were brought in from Garo Hills to detain JNC leaders and prevent locals of Elaka Nongkhlieh and Elaka Sutnga from participating freely. It questioned why opponents were allegedly met with force while supporters were allowed unhindered access, and why roads were allegedly blocked by individuals linked to Shree Cement, affecting commuters including patients.
The JNC accused the state leadership, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers, of enabling the crackdown, and alleged attempts to influence participation through monetary inducements. It said the government’s approach reflects a pattern of prioritising industrial development over community interests and facilitating forced land acquisition.
Rejecting the legitimacy of the hearing, the JNC called it an exercise conducted jointly by the government and the company rather than a genuine platform for public opinion.
The JSU has taken the allegations to both the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and the police. In its MHRC complaint, JSU education secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem alleged the hearing was conducted amid armed mobs, goons and mercenaries allegedly hired from outside the district by Shree Cement.
According to the complaint, routes to Lad Tongseng were blocked and the mobs attacked peaceful, unarmed protesters and environmental defenders with catapults, heavy stones and sharp weapons, causing injuries and vandalizing private vehicles.
Pohsnem alleged the hired groups deliberately dug up and destroyed the public road at Lad Tongseng, and also excavated the alternate route at Saipung, creating an absolute blockade. He cited a case where a pregnant woman in critical need of emergency care was trapped by the roadblock and forced to deliver by the roadside, endangering both mother and child. He further alleged that women marching peacefully were specifically targeted and assaulted.
The complaint also accused local law enforcement of failing to maintain order despite prior assurances. “Officers allegedly stood by as passive onlookers during the mob violence, actively colluded in the destruction of public roads, fired tear gas repeatedly at peaceful protesters, and arbitrarily detained student union leaders without warrants,” Pohsnem stated. Because local stakeholders were excluded through violence, road sabotage and barricades, the JSU called the hearing “unconstitutional, non-consultative, and legally void ab initio.”
Separately, JSU ambulance driver Rapbor Mukhim filed an MHRC complaint alleging he was assaulted at Lad Tongseng around 11 pm on July 30 while transporting a patient from Daistong to Sutnga CHC. Mukhim alleged unknown persons forcibly stopped ambulance ML04-D-2910, assaulted him with fists and objects, and damaged the vehicle, causing head and other injuries. He said the attack disrupted patient transport and forced him to seek emergency treatment at Sutnga CHC.
In an FIR submitted by JSU central president Jersom Shylla to the East Jaintia Hills SP, the union alleged premeditated attempt to murder, grievous assault, sabotage of public infrastructure, illegal detention and criminal conspiracy. The FIR claims armed groups hired and funded by Shree Cement and its local operatives barricaded the route, attacked protesters, and in collusion with some police dug up roads at Lad Tongseng and Saipung. It seeks registration of cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 including attempt to murder, rioting with deadly weapons, wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation, mischief to public property and criminal conspiracy, along with the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The JSU also named Shree Cement’s management and complicit police personnel, and said video evidence should be seized.
Both the JNC and JSU said they will continue to pursue accountability through democratic and legal means, and warned that failure to register cases and conduct an impartial probe would compel further legal action, including approaching the Meghalaya High Court.
