Shillong, Aug 1: The Hynñiewtrep Youth Development Council (HYDC) on Saturday challenged the MDA government to an open debate on the benefits of cement factories in Jaintia Hills, and condemned the “forcible” public hearing for Shree Cement’s project in East Jaintia Hills.
Addressing a press conference at Shillong Press Club, HYDC president Wyraiwan Sohtun called the July 31 hearing “illegal.” He alleged the government blocked people and NGOs from attending through lathi charges, tear gas, and by digging up a stretch of road with a JCB to stop vehicles.
“The government used its might to ensure only people for Shree Cement could attend. The Conrad government’s actions were as if they believed protestors are terrorists,” Sohtun said.
“Meghalaya is under goonda raj now as they attacked peaceful protesters with lathi charges and tear gas,” he added, saying the incident showed the government had suppressed the voice of East Jaintia people.
Sohtun said HYDC will not accept the hearing even if the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has cleared it.
He also hit out at Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the Home portfolio, for defending the Shree Cement project as a source of economic prosperity. “We challenge Tynsong and other ministers to an open debate. We know for a fact that the common Jaintia people have gained nothing from all these cement factories. In fact, we have lost everything — our environment, forests, lands, water ecology, and traditional livelihoods,” Sohtun said. “The future is very bleak if things go on in this manner. I can prove that the people have lost,” he said.
