SHILLONG, SEPT 22: Residents of Daistong village on Tuesday physically appeared before the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) in connection with their complaint against the manner in which the public hearing for the Shree Cement project was conducted in December last year.
Speaking on behalf of the Daistong residents, social activist Reachingson Siangshai, told reporters after the appearance that the MHRC had admitted their petition filed on February 9, 2026 and has since held 7-8 hearings on the matter.
“After getting the order from the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission, this is regarding the petition or complaint in which the residents of Daistong had filed before the commission since February 9, 2026 with regards to the way and the manner in which the government has conducted the public hearing on December 19, 2025,” Siangshai said.
He said Tuesday was the first time the Commission had summoned them for physical appearance.
“After we had filed a complaint or petition on February 10, 2026, the MHRC has admitted the petition of the residents of Daistong affected by the public hearing. From February 10, the commission has conducted almost 7-8 hearings. Today is the first time they have asked for our physical appearance so we appeared today before the MHRC and now we are waiting for the outcome,” he said.
The residents had alleged that people were blocked from attending the December 19 public hearing.
“You have seen the general public were blocked at two locations, one just few kilometers before reaching Daistong village where the residents of Daistong were blocked and at the other location where general public and NGOs were also blocked to attend the public hearing,” Siangshai said.
He said many of those involved in blocking were masked, as seen in media reports.Siangshai said the Commission has informed that it will pass an order.
“We don’t know when, whether it is after one day or after one week or after one month,” he said.
“People of Daistong had already mentioned everything in their petition to the MHRC and now the ball is in the court of the MHRC,” he added.
