Khliehriat, Dec 10: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), along with residents of Daištong village and surrounding areas of Elaka Nongkhlieh, today staged a protest outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Khliehriat seeking halt to the upcoming public hearing for Shree Cement Company scheduled for December 19.
Protestors were armed with black flags and placards that read, “Shree Cement Go Back” and “Daištong Land Not a Factory Land”.
The proposed hearing for the cement company to be conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has met with stiff opposition from various other pressure groups in the Jaintia region.
While residents raised concern that setting up of the cement plant would cause pollution, impact air quality, water resources and agricultural land, the Dorbar Shnong claimed that 85 per cent of the villagers are in support of the project and that a No Objection Certificate was also issued to Shree Cement.
The JNC is opposing the cement plant due to allegations that the Land Transfer Act has been violated, that no permissions were received from the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and that the project does not adhere to environmental rules.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the group will move the Meghalaya High Court if the State government goes ahead with the public hearing. He warned of civil unrest if the project advances.
Lyngdoh stated there is an alleged illegal land purchase by a non-tribal individual named Bharat Sharma from a tribal landowner, Syrpailang Sukhlain. This, he said, is detailed in the company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report dated December 19, 2025, submitted to the pollution control board.
He said the JNC has submitted petitions to the Deputy Commissioner and the district council on the issue but has not received any replies.
Lyngdoh said Daistong village depends on agriculture and setting up of a cement plant there would affect farmers.
