The East Jaiñtia National Council (EJNC) has decided to raise black flags in Khliehriat to protest against the public hearing scheduled in the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on the propose mining project of limestone and shale by Star Cement.
The black flag protest was against the decision that the hearing scheduled to be held on November 21 cannot be cancelled based on the decision taken by the Ministry of Forest and Climate Change.
Unhappy with the decision, EJNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh announced that since their representation dated October 20 was not taken into consideration, they will hold the black flag protest on November 11 before the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The Star Cement Company has proposed to expand limestone mining from 9 metric tonnes to 20 metric tonnes per day, at 42.051 hectares of land in Brichyrnot village.
However, the organisation is protesting against holding the public hearing quoting the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 that the public hearing should be held in the place where the mine will be set up.
It may be noted here that there have been two previous attempts to hold public hearings at Brichyrnot area under Narpuh Elaka on this contentious issue which did not make any headway.
