SHILLONG: Members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project staged a walkout from an awareness meeting organized by the Tourism Department at the Shillong Convention Center on October 21, 2026.
The protest erupted following remarks made by the local leaders of Laban Pyllun, who claimed that a public hearing regarding the project had been conducted back in 2022.
Beni Mawlong stated that the walkout was triggered because the statements made by the Secretary of the Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun during the meeting were false.
He asserted that no such public hearing had ever taken place, despite claims that notices were sent to various durbars of Laban.
According to Mawlong, none of the seven durbars received any official announcement concerning a public hearing.
Although the JAC sought clarification from the local durbars, no response has been received to date.
He further criticized that past actions cannot simply be accepted without question, questioning what lay behind the scenes, especially given media reports indicating that funds had already been disbursed, suggesting that only certain elders were aware of the underlying details.
Emphasizing that the public is not foolish, Mawlong noted that everyone understands the importance of protecting Shillong Peak, as the peak does not sustain only Laban, but provides water and electricity to the entire population of greater Shillong.
He declared that the ropeway project will not be accepted and urged the government—and particularly the leaders accused of auctioning off Shillong Peak—to relocate the project elsewhere.
He added that while they have tried dialogue multiple times, they ultimately want this issue resolved.
The JAC has issued a formal letter granting a 10-day deadline for a response, warning that failure to resolve the grievance will compel them to step down from their positions and consider taking harsher measures.
Additionally, the committee pointed out that the residents of Lawsohtun were completely excluded from the meeting and ignored, even though Lawsohtun lies directly at the foothills of Shillong Peak.
(4FrontMedia news)
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