Shillong, November 12: Women members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Laban on Wednesday marched to the Meghalaya Secretariat, demanding that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government scrap the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway project at Riat Laban.

The protesters raised slogans against the government, urging it to reconsider its decision to proceed with the project. They also targeted Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh and criticised South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai for supporting the proposed ropeway. Seven headmen from the Laban area also came under criticism from the protesters over the issue.

The protection of drinking water sources at Shillong Peak remained the central concern of the demonstration. The JAC maintained that construction of the ropeway’s lower terminal at Riat Laban could potentially affect water sources relied upon by local residents. The committee urged the government to cancel the project in the interest of protecting these vital resources.

The protest came a day after Shullai convened a meeting on the ropeway project at the State Convention Centre on November 11. However, the meeting ended amid tensions after women opposing the project surrounded the MLA, prompting him to leave the venue abruptly.

At a public consultation held on November 4, project officials cited an assessment by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, which concluded that the project would have no impact on water sources.

Despite the assessment, the JAC reiterated its opposition to the project during Wednesday’s march, maintaining that the protection of Shillong Peak’s drinking water sources must remain a priority.