Local farmers say the project will destroy farmlands, threaten livelihoods
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 10: Members of the Jaintia National Council (JNC) and villagers, on Wednesday, staged a protest in front of the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office in Khliehriat, opposing the proposed Shree Cement Integrated Plant at Daistong and alleging that tribal land had been illegally transferred to a non-tribal in violation of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, 1972.
The JNC claimed that the land in question was transferred to Bharat Sharma, reportedly representing Shree Cement Limited, without proper authorisation.
The protestors also objected to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board’s public hearing scheduled for December 19, accusing the government of ignoring their December 4 petition to the Revenue Department. The JNC also demanded an immediate public clarification from the state government, warning that continued silence would intensify opposition to the proposed cement project.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the organisation discovered irregularities after reviewing documents submitted by the company.
“The purchase violates the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act. We lodged complaints with the DC and the Revenue Department, but the government has remained silent,” he said.
Lyngdoh added that the proposed plant site includes agricultural land vital to the local farmers. “If the project goes ahead, it will damage farmland and threaten livelihoods. The government must respond,” he stated.
Earlier, the JNC declared that it would oppose any violation of tribal land protection laws.
The organisation noted that it had submitted multiple letters and a formal complaint, demanding that the public hearing be halted until the legality of the land transfer is verified.
The complaint highlights Section 2 of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, which bars the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals without written permission from the DC.
The JNC urged the Commissioner and Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management to investigate the matter, verify whether approval was granted, and nullify the transaction if found illegal. It also called on the government to ensure transparency and safeguard indigenous land rights.
