SHILLONG, DEC 4: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has filed a formal complaint opposing the proposed Shree Cement Integrated Plant at Daistong in East Jaiñtia Hills, alleging that tribal land has been illegally transferred to a non-tribal individual, Bharat Sharma.
In a statement issued on Thursday, JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh asserted that the council would strongly resist any breach of tribal land protection laws.
“The JNC will not allow any violation of tribal land rights under our watch. We have acted swiftly and responsibly by filing three official letters and one major complaint. Until the government confirms the legality of the land transfer, the public hearing must be halted immediately,” he said.
The complaint cites Section 2 of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, which prohibits the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals without written permission from the Deputy Commissioner.
The JNC has urged the Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, to probe the matter, ascertain whether approval was granted by the Deputy Commissioner, and declare the transaction null and void if found illegal.
The council has also appealed to the government to ensure transparency and safeguard the rights of indigenous communities as the project moves forward.
