Shillong, June 08: Farmers from Thieddieng village on Thursday voiced out their protest against the construction of Mawphu hydroelectric project stage-II on Umiew river in East Khasi Hills district.
Speaking to reporters in Shillong, Jopborstarsing Sohtun, one of the elders of Thieddieng village, said that the total area required for constructing the project was around 110 hectares.
“Out of 110 hectares, 93 hectares belong to farmers and villagers of Thieddieng village. If we allow the project, all our land inherited to us by our ancestors will submerge, and we will have no land for cultivation,” Sohtun said.
The 85 mega watt Mawphu hydroelectric project stage-II project will cost around Rs 453.81 crore.
The farmers had also protested against the project when the Meghalaya state pollution control board conducted a public hearing in the village on May 16.
Thieddieng village has around 200 households with a population of not less than 1000. Pepper, betel leaf and betel nut, bay leaf, broomstick, and a variety of fruits including oranges, banana, are the main produces.
The villagers said that they would not accept any offer or money, because once they lost their landthey will have more future including the upcoming generations, adding that if they part their land for the project they will become refugees in their own place.