JOWAI, Oct 23: The Jaintia Women Council of East Jaintia Hills lodged a formal complaint with the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission in Shillong on Tuesday, expressing grievances over their exclusion from a public hearing on October 18, concerning the proposed Meghatop company’s cement factory at Wahiajer village.
According to the Council, members had initially obtained permission from the Deputy Commissioner to participate in the hearing.
However, upon their arrival, they were allegedly prevented from entering the venue by both a mob and police, who reportedly used force to block their entry.
The Council also claimed that a traffic blockade at Umtyra was deliberately set up to delay their arrival at the hearing. The Council accused the district administration of attempting to silence their voices and infringing on their constitutional rights to free speech and expression. They described the situation as reflective of a “dictatorship” rather than a democratic process. The Council is calling on the Human Rights Commission to intervene and ensure justice and fairness in the district.
