Villagers of Wahiajer Narpuh have come out in protest against the waheh shnong for handing over land to Mega Bon Cement Ltd for setting up a cement plant in the area.
They said a cement company has planned to construct a cement factory in forest area, about 5 kms from the village and that they are opposing it as it would pose a serious pollution threat to their villages and feared that it would cause illnesses.
According to the villagers, a no objection certificate (NOC) was granted by the waheh shnong, Sibren Sumer who had called for an emergent meeting on September 14, 2022 without prior notice to the residents and without any consensus.
They said the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and the administration turned a deaf ear to their complaints when the land was cleared for setting up the cement plant recently.
Altogether 78 residents of the village had signed the objection letter asking authorities to revoke the NOC. “No one heard our pleas. Instead the trees have been cut down and makeshift tents have been erected in the land to make way for the cement plant,” a villager told Highland Post.
The protesting villagers expressed concern that since there are many cement plants in and around our village their plantations will be affected. “Having another cement plant will do us no good,” they said.
