SHILLONG: A public hearing for a proposed limestone mining project by Shree Cement Limited had to be abruptly called off today following intense protests and escalating tension at the venue in East Jaintia Hills District.
The decision to cancel the hearing was jointly taken by the local village authorities and district administration officials in order to maintain law and order, especially after physical clashes broke out between groups opposing and supporting the massive industrial project.
The public hearing, which was scheduled to take place on May 22 regarding the limestone mining proposal at Lumsyrman in the East Jaintia region, witnessed widespread demonstrations from various groups.
Local residents of Elaka Nongkhlieh, along with pressure groups including the Jaintia National Council (JNC) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), had previously traveled to Shillong on May 19 to voice their grievances.
They subsequently staged a protest at the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office in East Jaintia Hills on May 20. By May 21, chaos erupted at the DC office when a crowd supporting the public hearing stormed the premises, resulting in injuries to several local residents.
On the day of the scheduled hearing on May 22, the route leading to the venue was heavily blockaded to prevent participants from attending.
Massive boulders and large logs were placed across the road, as seen in videos shared by leaders of the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) who had traveled down to participate in the hearing. A truck was also deliberately parked to block the road, which was later set on fire by unidentified persons.
At the actual venue of the public hearing, the situation deteriorated further as a chaotic confrontation broke out, marked by heated arguments and the throwing of stones and chairs.
Seeing the volatile situation, officials from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) officially decided to call off the public hearing until further notice.
