SHILLONG: The East Jaintia National Council (EJNC) has decided to organise a march with black flags within the campus of the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office on November 11 in protest against the proposed expansion of limestone mining project by Star Cement at Brichyrnot in the district.
A statement from the EJNC said that despite a letter expressing opposition being sent to the DC, the latter had said that he was only following orders from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The DC had, according to the EJNC, also said that it is beyond his power to act on the issue.
“He also stated that as the head of the district, his duty is just to follow commands and maintain law and order in the district and that he does not have the power to shift the public hearing to any other place,” the organisation said, adding that the Deputy Commisioner has assured of raising the matter with Environment Ministry.
Recently, the Khasi Jaintia National Union (KJNU) central body had come out in opposition of the public hearing for the proposed limestone and shale mining project to be undertaken over 42.051 hectares of land in Brichyrnot village, East Jaintia Hills slated for November 21 at the East Jaintia Hills DC’s office.