SHILLONG: A massive and emotional public outcry has erupted in Daistong village, East Jaintia Hills, as residents, backed by the Jaintia National Council (JNC), have issued a fierce challenge to the government, demanding the immediate cancellation of the Public Hearing for the proposed Shree Cement Ltd. Integrated Cement Plant, scheduled for December 19.
The community is united in its opposition, fearing complete environmental and economic devastation, and alleging gross violations of local land laws and deep-seated corruption among local leaders.
The core of the conflict, according to JNC President Sambormi Lyngdoh, is an alleged blatant violation of the Land Transfer Act.
Lyngdoh revealed that an outsider, Bharat Sharma, illegally acquired the land from a resident, Surphaibha Sukhlaiñ. “The purchase of land by a non-tribal is illegal and contravenes the law,” Lyngdoh asserted.
The JNC has already lodged complaints with the Deputy Commissioner, the Revenue Department, and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council -JHADC, but has yet to receive any response. The current public demonstration is a clear warning that the community will not back down.
“We Will Lose Everything”: Threat to Fertility and Livelihoods
Daistong, located in the fertile Nongkhlieh Elaka, is considered the agricultural heartland of the district. Residents fear the factory will destroy their inherited lands and primary source of sustenance.
Livelihood Loss: The proposed site is just 100–200 meters from the village and surrounded by vital rice paddies (Pynthor Kba). One woman lamented, “If this factory comes, we will lose all our crops, fish, and freshwater produce… we will lose all our paddy fields, affecting the future of our children.”
Environmental Devastation: An elder stressed that Nongkhlieh is the district’s most fertile area, yielding crops naturally without fertilizer. The JNC warned that allowing the factory would “completely destroy the environment,” citing the devastating consequences witnessed in the neighboring Narpuh Elaka.
In a stern ultimatum to the government, the JNC and the villagers have vowed to physically stop the scheduled December 19 hearing if their demands are ignored.
“If the Government uses force to proceed with the Public Hearing, the council will not permit it under any circumstances. We will use force to stop the meeting,” announced Lyngdoh.
The leaders of the protest have given the Government a timeframe to respond. If the administration remains silent, the JNC and the public will stage a massive march and protest in the state capital, Shillong.
The community’s anger is further fueled by accusations against certain traditional leaders who allegedly conspired to sell the land to the outsider without the consent of the entire Elaka.
Villagers accused the former Daloi (traditional chief) of acting solely for “personal gain,” alleging that only individuals connected to him, and not all Executive Committee members, signed the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC). The elder warned that this betrayal could lead to chaos and a serious rift within the community if the government pushes forward.
