Shillong, Oct 21: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the Shillong Ropeway project has alleged that the Tourism Department’s invitation for a meeting today to discuss the subject is an attempt to divide and conquer.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference today, H Bansiewdor Nonglang, chairman of Green-Tech Foundation (GTF) and member of the JAC, said the committee will not take part in the meeting and will only submit some documents and walk out, as most of the people who would be affected have not been invited.
The government has invited several stakeholders, including the JAC, headmen of Riat Laban and government officials.
“Even the residents of Lawsohtun, which sits below Lum Shyllong, have not been invited for the meeting,” Nonglang said.
The GTF leader said if the government wants to decide on going ahead with the project, it should invite all stakeholders who will be affected by it, including those who benefit from the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme, hydropower generated from Umiam Lake, those who get their livelihood from Umngot River and localities that get their water sources from Lum Shyllong.
“We want to tell the government today there is no basis to invite only a few individuals to decide the future of the people of the state. Your divide and rule policy will not work,” Nonglang said.
He said the government should shift the meeting proposed for Thursday to a new date and different venue which can accommodate a larger crowd.
Nonglang said that, from the beginning, the JAC has never opposed development but only stated that the project at Lum Shyllong is not ecologically feasible.
He also referred to a 2007 order of the Shillong Bench of Gauhati High Court which issued a landmark directive regarding Lum Shyllong, mandating authorities to analyse and ensure protection of its critical catchment area.
“The Tourism Department in the letter stated that only those living nearby have been invited but the issue affects the whole of Shillong,” he said.
Deborah Marbaniang, president of the committee, said they will never allow such a project on sources on slopes of Lum Shyllong, which supplies water to the entire city of Shillong.
Nonglang said there is also a threat to those who oppose the project.
“We were threatened with FIRs, but I have only one message to these people: the more you delay, the more we will lay bare the truth,” he added.
He said the meeting has been called by the government amid the 10-day deadline given by JAC to scrap or relocate the ropeway project.
According to Nonglang, limiting participation to a few adjacent localities will not give a true picture of public sentiment and will exclude those directly dependent on Lum Shyllong for water security and livelihood.
He said any decision on such a sensitive ecological zone must be taken after wide public consultation and not behind closed doors with selected invitees.
Nonglang said JAC will continue to oppose the project in its present form and will place relevant documents before the authorities on Thursday to substantiate its stand.
