SHILLONG: The resistance against the controversial Shillong Ropeway project gained fresh momentum on November 6 as the Joint Action Committee (JAC), spearheaded by determined mothers and local activists, staged a powerful sit-in protest near the Kiang Nangbah statue close to Civil Hospital in Shillong.
Carrying sharp placards and playing the resonant indigenous song ‘Ri lum’—written and composed by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh himself—the demonstrators sent a clear and uncompromising message to the state leadership regarding the protection of their ancestral hills, water sources, and indigenous identity.
Addressing the gathering, Venisha Mawlong launched a scathing critique of Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, questioning how someone holding such immense authority could dismiss public anguish by telling citizens there is no need to shout or cry out.
Mawlong challenged whether the minister genuinely comprehends the daily personal struggles and deep anxieties of mothers.
Reminiscing about his past tenure as the president of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), she noted that the public once placed immense trust in him as a stalwart defender of the indigenous community.
She expressed profound dismay at how leadership changes can alter perspectives, accusing him of misleading mothers and cautioning that the agitation will not be suppressed.
Mawlong did not mince words regarding political positions, remarking that if Paul Lyngdoh were not occupying his current chair, he would likely be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the protesters.
She asserted that while he considers himself an ardent lover of the community, securing a powerful seat has seemingly blinded him to the concerns of not just the thousands of residents of Raid Laban, but the entire urban populace of Shillong.
Addressing claims that outsiders understand the terrain better, she challenged his knowledge of the local geography, pointing specifically to the vital drinking water sources embedded within Shillong Hill.
She advised the minister to undertake thorough research before pushing policies, reaffirming that the community stands firm and will ultimately safeguard the entirety of Shillong Hill from environmental degradation.
When questioned about potential legal recourse, Mawlong clarified that taking the dispute to the courts would prematurely halt the grassroots momentum, as formal litigation often restricts the fluid nature of public struggle.
She emphasized that the protesters feel no inclination to approach the judiciary, choosing instead to fight the battle with the entirety of their collective strength and public resolve.
Reinforcing these sentiments, H. Bansiewdor Nonglang, President of the Green Tech Foundation (GTF), underscored the unwavering determination of the mothers leading the agitation.
He declared that mothers never break a promise—when they say no, it means a definitive no, and when they say yes, it means yes—strongly warning political leaders never to take mothers lightly.
Nonglang expressed disbelief at the apathy shown by elected representatives who reportedly told protesting citizens to cry and shout as much as they pleased, questioning whether such dismissive attitudes reflect the qualities expected of responsible leaders chosen by the public.
Leaving the ultimate judgment to the wisdom of Shillong’s residents, Nonglang warned that any misstep on this issue could permanently tarnish Shillong’s identity.
He highlighted that while water is currently abundant on Shillong Hill, enabling the city to thrive, the implementation of the ropeway project threatens to disrupt and diminish these critical water sources.
Addressing counter-allegations that the protesters were playing petty politics, he retorted that if standing up for regional security, environmental preservation, and future generations is classified as politics, then they are prepared to embrace it.
He also drew attention to the inspiring participation of elderly mothers, some aged over 60 and 70, who braved the elements to stand in solidarity against the ropeway initiative.
(4FrontMedia news)
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