SHILLONG, OCT 16: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has demanded the scrapping of the proposed Shree Cement project at Daistong in East Jaiñtia Hills district, while calling for a fresh public hearing over alleged procedural irregularities.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh appeared before the fact-finding committee constituted by the Meghalaya Home (Political) Department on Friday and submitted documents detailing the organisation’s objections to the project. The committee is headed by C. V. Diengdoh, IAS.
Speaking to reporters after appearing before the committee, Lyngdoh said the documents traced the issue from its inception and raised concerns over the company’s claim to the project land and the conduct of the public hearing held on July 4.
He questioned whether the prescribed procedures for transferring land to a non-tribal company had been followed, stating that the records available to the JNC did not establish compliance. He urged the committee to examine the matter thoroughly.
The JNC also submitted documents obtained from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, including the minutes of the public hearing.
Lyngdoh alleged that the proceedings reflected views supporting the project, while those opposing it were not given adequate opportunities to present their objections. He questioned whether affected residents had been provided a meaningful opportunity to express their concerns.
In view of these alleged irregularities, the JNC urged the committee to recommend a fresh public hearing and make its findings public to ensure transparency.
Lyngdoh also alleged that certain departments involved in the matter had misused their authority and called for accountability if the committee established any procedural violations.
Asked about the committee’s progress, he said it was too early to assess the outcome. The JNC would study the findings before deciding on its next course of action.
The allegations remain part of the JNC’s submissions and have not been established by the fact-finding committee. Responses from Shree Cement and the departments concerned were not available at the time of filing this report.
