Groups vow to intensify stir over Shree Cement project, land issues
JOWAI, July 15: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) central executive committee and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) central body have defended their rally at the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) office, rejecting Council Chief Executive Member (CEM) Thombor Shiwat’s remarks on the protest and reiterating that the agitation over the proposed Shree Cement project and alleged land issues in Elaka Nongkhlieh would continue through democratic means.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the remarks made by JHADC CEM regarding the rally were misplaced and reflected a poor understanding of the issue.
“First of all, when the CEM says from where these two organisations get the authority to march to the District Council, the fact is that we had already fulfilled our duty by seeking permission from the office of the Deputy Commissioner. We did not receive any response. As this is a democratic country, we have every right to protest peacefully anywhere,” Lyngdoh said.
He further said that the CEM’s claim of ignorance about the rally only exposed his weakness, since the agitation against the Shree Cement project was not a new issue. “This is not something new. Since last year, we have held protests in Shillong and at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Khliehriat. We are surprised that the CEM says he does not know about the issue, when in fact the matter had already been widely publicised through the media,” he added.
According to Lyngdoh, the agitation was triggered by complaints from residents of Elaka Nongkhlieh over the alleged forceful taking of land under the leadership of the Dolloi, without the knowledge or consent of the landowners, many of whom hold hundreds of hectares in the area.
He also stated that Elaka Sutnga had similarly claimed that its land was being affected by the Shree Cement limestone mining proposal, alleging that only 217 hectares had been disclosed initially, while the actual project area was said to be 652 hectares.
“We believe that land disputes should be handled by the district council, which has been empowered by the Constitution of India under the Sixth Schedule to protect land, boundaries and customary rights. Unfortunately, the CEM still does not seem to understand the basis of our agitation,” he said.
Lyngdoh further said that while the CEM claimed he knew nothing about the rally, he had reportedly deployed police in advance and alleged that the organisations only intended to raise slogans and intimidate the JHADC office.
“We had even prepared a memorandum to submit to the CEM. Instead, he said he was willing to talk, but did not want to meet us. We have also received information that he was inside the office, but left with the EMs before we arrived. We do not know the reason. This clearly shows that he may have wanted to avoid facing the issue directly,” he said.
On the issue of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), Lyngdoh said the CEM had stated that JHADC issues NOCs on the request of the Elaka and the Shnong. However, he pointed out that in another session of the Council, the CEM had said that NOCs were issued only when local authorities came under pressure. He argued this contradiction has created confusion.
Lyngdoh added that the Sanad issued to the Dollois by JHADC clearly states that no Dolloi is allowed to issue any NOC to any company without the prior approval of the Elaka and the district council. “This clearly shows that the CEM either does not understand the law or is not fully familiar with the rules and conditions of the district council,” said the JNC president.
Meanwhile, JSU president Jersom Shylla said the rally was conducted only after due permission was sought, adding that the organisations were exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest.
“We had sought permission before the rally. We have every right to protest. Our only intention was to hold a peaceful agitation over the alleged grabbing of lands belonging to farmers and residents of Elaka Nongkhlieh, without their knowledge or consent,” Shylla said.
He slammed the JHADC CEM’s allegation that the protesters came to threaten or intimidate staff, saying the organisations had no such intent. According to him, the rally was organised to raise a peaceful public concern over land issues affecting the Elaka Nongkhlieh area.
Shylla also expressed surprise that when the protesters reached the JHADC office, the CEM and EMs had reportedly left and the main gate of the Council was closed.
“Is JHADC a private house of the CEM? We came without any weapons. The Constitution of India gives citizens the right to assemble and protest peacefully, without arms. We came only to place before the Council the grievances of the people of Elaka Nongkhlieh,” he said.
He added that while the protesters had been standing outside the JHADC office, the workers inside were only listening to the public voice, but the CEM himself, according to him, showed no willingness to hear the people’s concerns.
Shylla also thanked the police department for not using force against the protesters and said the district administration had handled the situation with understanding and restraint.
“We came not to create violence or bloodshed. We came for the problems of the people of Elaka Nongkhlieh. If we, as leaders of the two organisations, do not speak up, then who will stand up and give courage to the people?” he said.
Reacting to the CEM’s remarks, Shylla said they would continue to stand firm for the land and the community, regardless of criticism. He also said that after the protest, they learned that the CEM had gone to his office only after working hours had ended. He added that the CEM then filed an FIR against them, but said the matter would now be dealt with through legal means.
“Let the law take its course. This will not weaken our struggle; rather, it will strengthen our resolve,” Shylla said.
On their demand for the removal of the Dolloi and cancellation of the Shree Cement NOC, Shylla said the agitation would continue beyond Behdienkhlam.
“We are giving a deadline from the 20th. If the CEM does not act, we will explore other democratic means and intensify our protest. We will also demand that the CEM resign, because a leader who is meant to protect the people has instead failed to do so,” he added.
