Shillong, Sep 29: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) on Tuesday submitted a representation before the fact-finding committee constituted by the state government to examine the proposed Shree Cement project at Lum Syrman in East Jaintia Hills.
The representation was submitted to the Home (Political) Department. JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the proposed project raises several questions concerning land rights, the nature of transaction between the landholders and the company, the relationship between two different land areas appearing in official records, and the circumstances in which the public hearing scheduled on July 31, 2026 was disrupted.
The JNC said as per the final environmental impact assessment (EIA) for Lum Syrman Limestone Block-A, the company has stated that 217.394 hectares of land has been purchased for Rs 54,437,500 and is under its possession. However, the council pointed out that Dolloi N Sukhlain and Elaka Secretary F Bareh had stated at a press conference on August 19 that the land had not been sold outright but handed over under a lease arrangement with renewal and rent payable as per area.
The JNC also flagged the discrepancy between the 652.24 hectare Non-Forest Land Certificate (NFLC) issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests on July 30, 2025 and a Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) certificate dated May 27, 2025 for 652.2431 hectares, against the 217.39 hectare area for which the Mining and Geology Department issued an order on August 8, 2025 for grant of Composite Mining License.
The JNC said it has serious apprehension that the reduction from 652.24 hectares to 217.394 hectares may have been adopted to avoid or bypass central-level regulatory scrutiny. It has requested the committee to verify the original NFLC application, GPS-surveyed map and authenticated boundary records for the 217.39 hectare licence.
On the public hearing, JNC alleged stone-pelting at persons intending to attend the hearing, damage to public vehicles, digging of a public road and detention of its members and the public on July 30, 2026, a day before the scheduled hearing. The council has sought verification of the incidents through witness accounts, general diary entries and police records.
Stating that the issues go beyond whether a company should establish operations in a particular locality, Lyngdoh said, “The people of East Jaintia Hills are entitled to clarity on what land has been transferred, under what instrument, for what consideration, within which boundaries, and through what process. They are equally entitled to a public-hearing process in which their participation and concerns are properly respected.”
JSU told to approach panel, HC lists for Oct 29
The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday heard a PIL against Shree Cement’s proposed mining project at Lum Syrman in East Jaintia Hills.
The PIL was filed by Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) General Secretary Neilkee Mukhim.
A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh heard the matter.
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General T. Yangi B submitted that a fact-finding committee is looking into issues raised in the petition, including an incident that took place on July 30, 2026.
She submitted that the petitioner is free to file affidavits and documents before the committee so that all grievances vis-a-vis the project can be taken cognizance of.
Counsel for the petitioner G. Syngkrem said affidavits and documents will be submitted before the committee during the day as Tuesday was the last date for filing.
The court listed the matter for October 29.
