Shillong, Aug 27: Landowners and farmers of Shnongrim affected by the proposed Shree Cement project at Lum Syrman have welcomed the government’s independent fact-finding committee to examine the July 31 public hearing.
In a statement, they thanked the Khasi Students Union (KSU) for raising their concerns and taking up their grievances to the government.
“We welcome the decision to keep the activities of Shree Cement on hold until the committee completes its inquiry. However, we want to make it clear that this cannot be the end of the matter,” they said.
They said their main demand on settlement of land ownership and rights of affected landowners before any project activity remains unresolved. “Our demand that the land ownership and rights of the affected landowners must first be settled before any further activities connected with the project are allowed to proceed”, they added.
The landowners and farmers said ignoring the grievances and repeated appeals of the affected people can only increase dissatisfaction and create further unrest in society.
They demanded that the committee conduct a genuine and impartial inquiry and give them opportunity to present facts, including alleged prevention of landowners from reaching the public hearing venue.
They also condemned the arrest and filing of cases against the top leaders of the KSU in connection with the incidents that occurred in Shillong on the day of the rally on August 19.
