PRESSURE GROUPS STAGE SURPRISE PROTEST AGAINST SHREE CEMENT PUBLIC HEARING
Five pressure groups—Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), Jaiñtia Students’ Union (JSU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Hynniewtrep Students’ and Youth Federation (HSYF) and Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP)—on Monday staged a surprise sit-in protest at the Woh Kiang Nangbah monument within the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises at Khliehriat, opposing the recent public hearing for Shree Cement in East Jaiñtia Hills.
The organisations demanded the immediate cancellation of the public hearing, maintaining that the concerns and claims of traditional landowners must be addressed before any further proceedings are undertaken.
The pressure groups specifically sought settlement and recognition of the rights of traditional landowners of Sutnga and Nongkhlieh Elaka, besides demanding that the ownership claims of farmers over Lum Syrman be resolved.
As part of the protest, the organisations burnt effigies of the Chief Minister, the two Deputy Chief Ministers and local legislators Kyrmen Shylla and Santa Mary Shylla, signalling their strong opposition to the government’s handling of the issue.
The protesters also raised slogans such as “MDA 2.0 Down Down” and “Shree Cement Go Back”, reiterating their demand that the government settle all land and ownership-related issues before allowing the project to proceed.
