Shillong, Apr 28: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has urged the Chairman of the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to halt the public hearing scheduled for May 22 on a proposed limestone mining project by Shree Cement Limited.
However, HITO said it has conducted a thorough survey and received numerous complaints from local farmers and landowners around Lum Syrman. “There have been alarming reports of land grabbing, with local residents expressing concern over their rights being undermined and forcibly taken without proper consent or compensation,” the organisation said.
“As guardians of the community’s welfare, we are deeply disturbed by these developments,” HITO added.
In light of these serious issues, HITO, as a pressure group representing the affected individuals, has urged the SEIAA Chairman to investigate the allegations thoroughly. “We believe it is imperative to comprehensively assess the social, economic, and environmental implications of the proposed mining project,” it said.
The organisation has requested the Chairman to instruct the MSPCB to halt the public hearing until these matters are adequately addressed.
Meanwhile, the Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front also objected to the public hearing. “If permission is granted to Shree Cement Limited to extract limestone
from this area, it will negatively affect the Wah Litein river, where many varieties of fish are found,” the organisation said.
