Shillong, May 15: Residents of Daistong have decided to march to the Main Secretariat here on May 18 to voice their opposition to pressures from Shree Cement regarding a proposed limestone mining project.
Reportedly, the company are forcing residents to accept a public hearing to be held on May 22, for the proposed project at Lum Syrman. The scheduled public hearing has become a focal point for community protest, as several villagers, pressure groups and others have raised objections.
The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) and the Jaintia National Council (JNC) said they are in support with residents of Daistong, who have expressed concern concern over the perceived disregard shown by the cement company for local dignity and rights.
The JSU and JNC in a joint statement stated that the interests of East Jaintia Hills’ communities are being systematically overlooked, reducing them to mere disposal grounds for corporate interests.
The groups have raised ethical issues regarding the environmental impact assessment (EIA) that Shree Cement submitted for the project at Lum Syrman. They claimed that the current EIA is both illegal and unethical, stating it was designed based on conditions applicable in Gujarat, undermining local environmental regulations in Meghalaya.
Referring to a public hearing held for the company in December last year the groups said it resembled more of a private affair. The groups said there were intimidation and manipulation during the consultations then, which was for a mining project at Khara Siang Lum Pyrshin in Daistong. They said that individuals connected to the local leadership allegedly disrupted free and fair participation.
The JSU and JNC said the local people must be allowed to take part in public hearings, who best understand their communities’ needs and concerns.
