SHILLONG, NOV 28: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has lodged a strong protest against the proposed Shree Cement Limited Integrated Cement Plant at Daistong village in East Jaintia Hills District, alleging illegal land transfer and procedural irregularities. The JNC has demanded that the public hearing scheduled by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) in December 2025 be immediately halted.
Led by its President, Shri Sambormi Lyngdoh, the JNC CEC on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Shri Shivansh Awasthi, Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, opposing the project. The memorandum asserts that the land purchased for the proposed plant violates the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971, which prohibits land transfer from tribal to non-tribal individuals without mandatory approval.
The JNC alleges that the transfer of land from tribal landowner Syrpailang Sukhlain to Mr. Bharat Sharma, a non-tribal, as referenced in the company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report dated December 19, 2025, is illegal and “void ab initio” since the document lacks essential approvals, including Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) clearance, mutation records, and statutory permissions.
The memorandum further claims that the project breaches provisions of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation Act (MIIPA) 2024, which it asserts does not supersede the 1971 land regulation, as well as the EIA Notification, 2006. It accuses the MSPCB of negligence for proceeding without verifying land ownership or legality.
JNC President Sambormi Lyngdoh criticized Shree Cement’s promises of employment benefits, calling them “unreliable,” citing lack of skilled manpower in the predominantly agricultural region, absence of training frameworks, and government inaction on local employment policies despite ongoing advocacy under its Save Jaiñtia Mission since 2024.
The organization also issued a stern warning, stating that civil unrest may follow if the government advances the project without reviewing legal and procedural lapses.
“We hold the government responsible for any agitation arising from disregard of tribal land rights,” Lyngdoh said.
Following the submission, JNC representatives met with the Deputy Commissioner, who reportedly assured them that the matter will be examined seriously and escalated to appropriate authorities, promising a written response within a few days.
The JNC has demanded an immediate inquiry into land ownership documents, verification of title chains, and directives to MSPCB and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to suspend the public hearing until all legalities are reviewed.
