By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 16: Green-Tech Foundation Meghalaya chairman H. Bansiewdor Nonglang on Thursday decided to continue his indefinite hunger strike after the state government failed to address the organisation’s core demand to scrap the 60-year lease agreement of 36 acres of land at Lumpongdeng Island for the proposed Umiam luxury resort and spa project.
The hunger strike at Malki Ground entered its eighth day on Thursday amid growing concern over Nonglang’s deteriorating health.
The decision came after a letter from the Tourism Department was read out before the supporters gathered at the protest site.
The letter, written by C.S. Khongwir, Joint Secretary of Tourism Department, officially communicated to the Foundation that no construction will be allowed on Lumpongdeng Island.
The foundation was also requested to withdraw their ongoing hunger strike.
Before addressing the gathering, Nonglang asked the foundation’s secretary general, Ritre Lyngdoh, to publicly read the contents of the official communication, stating that the issue concerns the people of the state and they have a right to know the government’s response.
However, Nonglang rejected the response, saying it merely reiterated the state government’s earlier stand, including statements made by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the assurances given during the meeting with Tourism Director Brenda Lee Pakyntein on Wednesday.
“The government has not changed its stand from day one. If they say Lumpongdeng will no longer be used, then they must give it in writing that the 36 acres leased to the company will be removed from the agreement and the land returned to the people,” Nonglang said.
He alleged that despite assurances that no activity would take place on the island, the long-term lease leaves room for future development. “It has been leased for 60 years. In ten years, people may forget this issue and the island could be destroyed,” he said.
Reiterating the foundation’s demand, Nonglang said the protest would continue until the government formally scraps Lumpongdeng Island from the lease agreement with Umiam Pvt. Ltd. and restores public ownership of the land.
“We will not leave Malki Ground until the government gives us a written assurance that the agreement is revised without the 36 acres handed over to the corporate entity,” he said, while urging district officials present at the site to convey the message to the government.
Earlier, a team of district administration officials and a medical team from the office of the District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills, visited Nonglang and urged him to go to the Civil Hospital as his health continued to worsen.
Despite repeated appeals, Nonglang agreed to hospitalisation only if the government met two conditions: removal of Lumpongdeng Island from the proposed resort project and withdrawal of the FIR lodged against three members of the foundation in connection with a protest outside the Secretariat.
“I am ready to be peacefully shifted to the hospital and later return home, provided these two conditions are met,” he told officials and the medical team.
Witnesses at the protest site said Nonglang’s condition has weakened significantly over the past few days. On Thursday morning, he had to be carried by supporters as he was unable to walk due to extreme weakness.
A medical team reportedly expressed serious concern over his condition, warning that prolonged fasting without medical supervision could lead to critical complications. However, Nonglang remains firm in his stand, continuing his protest against the controversial tourism project.
