EAST JAINTIA HILLS: Mounting public opposition to a proposed limestone mining project by Shree Cement Limited has triggered widespread protests and heightened security across East Jaintia Hills, just ahead of a scheduled statutory public hearing.
Tensions escalated on the eve of the event as residents of Shnongrim village erected road blockades, while separate unrest at Iew Umpleng led police to fire tear gas shells to disperse crowds.
The public hearing, slated for Lum Syrman under Shnongrim village in Elaka Nongkhlieh, faces fierce resistance from agricultural communities and local civil society groups. Protesters argue that the consultation should not proceed until comprehensive, transparent discussions address the project’s potential long-term impacts on agriculture, livelihoods, and the regional economy.
At Shnongrim, where many villagers depend on farming in the Lum Syrman area, protesters placed boulders and physical barriers across the main access route, effectively blocking government officials from reaching the venue. Residents stressed that no consultation should be forced through without first addressing their concerns regarding daily life and agrarian incomes.
Anticipating disruptions, officials from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) and East Jaintia Hills District administration, supported by police, attempted to reach the site a day in advance.
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Past consultations have been thwarted by similar blockades, forcing officials to travel on foot. This time, the convoy encountered new barricades; villagers questioned the early arrival of police and reiterated their refusal to accept a process that sidesteps their grievances.
After negotiations, villagers agreed to clear some obstacles for the convoy, though several blockades remained as the protest continued.
Meanwhile, fresh confrontation erupted at Umpleng Market after reports surfaced that individuals from across Jaintia Hills were traveling to the venue to support the mining project.
Protesters, led by the Hima Sutnga Youth Federation (HSYF), set up a blockade to intercept these groups, amid allegations that pro-company supporters were being incentivized to sway the hearing’s outcome.
Police intervened at Umpleng Market to clear the way for officials and participants. As the standoff intensified, law enforcement resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the gathering crowd.
With ongoing blockades in Shnongrim and continued agitation at Umpleng Market, the security situation across East Jaintia Hills remains tense. Local residents insist that their core concerns must be addressed before any statutory consultation can proceed.
(4FrontMedia news)
