Raphael Warjri

The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Central Executive Committee on Friday warned that it would intensify its agitation and march to the Meghalaya Secretariat in Shillong if the state government fails to respond to its objections regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of Shree Cement⁠ by 15 May.
In a formal press statement issued on Friday, the organisation expressed serious concern and disappointment over what it described as the “complete silence” of the Government of Meghalaya following the submission of its written objection on 30 April, 2026, to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), State Environment Impact Assessment Authority Meghalaya (SEIAA Meghalaya), and the regional office of the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in Shillong.

Addressing the media, the JNC alleged that the EIA report contained three major violations which, according to the organisation, did not require further investigation as they were already admitted within the document itself.

The organisation claimed that the draft EIA report appeared to be linked to Gujarat instead of Meghalaya. Referring to Page 1 of the report, the JNC said the consultant had mentioned that the proposal had been considered by the Gujarat SEAC and that SEIAA Gujarat had issued the Terms of Reference for the EIA study. The council questioned how SEIAA Meghalaya could accept and process an EIA document allegedly addressed to a Gujarat authority for a project located in East Jaintia Hills.

The JNC further alleged that the project’s safety and disaster management plan was based on a withdrawn legal standard. It stated that the EIA classified the project area under Seismic Zone VI using an Indian Standard that had reportedly been withdrawn by the Bureau of Indian Standards through a Gazette notification dated March 3, 2026. The organisation questioned how a public hearing could proceed on the basis of what it termed a cancelled legal framework.

The council also criticised the absence of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in the EIA report. It stated that the constitutional body, which exercises authority over land and natural resources under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, was neither consulted nor mentioned in matters related to consent or revenue sharing. The JNC questioned the silence of the JHADC, especially since the project’s buffer zone reportedly consists of a predominantly Scheduled Tribe population.

Drawing comparisons with the Meghalaya government’s recent decision to remove Lumpongdeng Island from the proposed Taj Resort project at Umiam Lake following public opposition, the JNC argued that the concerns of the people of Nongkhlieh Elaka in East Jaintia Hills deserved equal consideration and respect.

The organisation further alleged that the arrival of Shree Cement had negatively impacted the social fabric of East Jaintia Hills, particularly in Elaka Nongkhlieh. It claimed that local farmers opposing the project had not been heard by the government. The JNC also alleged that during a public hearing held in Daistong in December 2025, local residents were prevented from entering the venue by individuals allegedly acting in the interests of the company.

The council accused the company of attempting to divide communities by influencing local leaders and village authorities while obstructing the activities of civil society groups in areas where it intended to operate. The organisation described such actions as “infiltration” rather than development.

Recalling its commitment made on Kiang Nangbah Day on December 30, 2025, the JNC said it remained united in defending the rights and interests of the Jaintia people.
Issuing what it termed a “formal and final warning” to the state government, the organisation stated that if no official response was received by May 15, the JNC Central Executive Committee would escalate its protest to the Meghalaya Secretariat with the participation of people from East Jaintia Hills.

JNC Central Executive Committee President Sambormi Lyngdoh stated that the organisation had not submitted its objections merely as a formality, but had done so with evidence that warranted a response. He further asserted that the JNC would continue to oppose any attempt by outside companies to undermine the land, rights, and constitutional protections of the indigenous people.