By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 24: The East Jaintia Hills district unit of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Friday demanded an independent environmental scrutiny of the proposed limestone mining project of the Shree Cement Limited near Litein, echoing concerns raised by a group of four lawyers from the district over the project’s potential impact on the river and the river-based livelihoods.
KSU East Jaintia Hills district assistant general secretary Pynshai Kupar M Dkhar said the union stands in solidarity with the citizens concerned and has endorsed their call for urgent intervention.
“We strongly demand the immediate verification of the patently false claims in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report that no river exists near the proposed mining site. This misleading assertion must be exposed, and the EIA should be rejected in its current form,” Dkhar stated.
He called for commissioning a fresh, comprehensive, and fully independent EIA by a credible and neutral agency.
According to the KSU leader, the study must evaluate not only the project’s direct impact on the river but also undertake a cumulative assessment of the environmental burden already borne by East Jaintia Hills due to extensive extractive activities.
Dkhar urged authorities to suspend all proceedings related to environmental clearance for the project until an independent review is completed and made public.
“No final clearance should be granted without addressing the concerns of all stakeholders,” he said, demanding that no mining activity should be permitted in or near Litein and that the river be declared a protected zone.
Highlighting key concerns, he said the proposed mining area spans around 217.394 hectares and directly borders Litein. Despite this, he said the draft EIA reportedly claims that no stream or river exists in the vicinity of the project site.
Describing the discrepancy as “alarming,” Dkhar said such contradictions in a statutory document raise serious questions about the credibility of the entire assessment process. “This is not a minor oversight but a deliberate attempt to mislead authorities and the public,” he alleged.
The KSU leader warned that if the project proceeds on the basis of a “flawed” EIA, it could result in irreversible damage to aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity loss, and severe water pollution from sedimentation, chemical runoff, and mining waste. He cited the example of Lukha river, which suffered environmental degradation due to unregulated mining activities, as a warning.
“The Litein river is a lifeline for thousands of indigenous families, supporting agriculture, fishing, and domestic needs. Its destruction would directly impact livelihoods and the region’s ecological balance,” Dkhar warned.
The KSU leader also expressed concern over alleged irregularities during the public hearing process, claiming that residents of Daistong village were prevented from voicing their objections. He termed this a violation of the right to free and meaningful public consultation.
Reiterating its long-standing position on environmental protection, the KSU said it is not opposed to development but will resist projects that compromise ecological integrity and community rights.
The union warned that failure by the state government, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to act promptly and transparently could prompt legal action.
“We are prepared to approach the National Green Tribunal to seek judicial intervention, if necessary,” Dkhar said, adding that the KSU will continue to stand with the people and safeguard the region’s natural resources.
“We will not remain silent while our future is jeopardised on the basis of a fraudulent report,” Dkhar said.
