The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has lodged a formal complaint with the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Shivansh Awasthi, against Shree Cement Limited’s proposed Integrated Cement Plant in Daistong village. The JNC alleges that the company has illegally purchased land from a tribal landowner, Syrpailang Sukhlain, in violation of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971. This act prohibits the transfer of land from tribals to non-tribals without the permission of the competent authorities and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
The JNC claims that the company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, submitted to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), lacks essential documents, including approval from the Autonomous District Council and mutation records. The organization demands that the MSPCB suspend the scheduled public hearing for the project until the land ownership issues are fully verified.
The JNC also criticizes the MSPCB for allegedly failing to scrutinize the land ownership and enabling corporate overreach at the expense of tribal rights. The organization dismisses the company’s promises of employment opportunities, citing the lack of local skills and training plans. The JNC has been advocating for the implementation of a new policy to create jobs for locals since 2024, but the demand remains unaddressed.
The JNC has warned of civil unrest if the project proceeds without resolving the outstanding issues and has threatened to hold the government accountable for any agitation stemming from procedural lapses. The Deputy Commissioner has assured the JNC that the matter will be taken up with higher authorities and that a response will be provided within a few days.
The JNC is demanding an immediate inquiry into the land ownership and authenticity of documents, as well as directives to the MSPCB and State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to halt the public hearing. The organization is determined to protect the rights of the tribal community and ensure that the project is implemented in a transparent and lawful manner. The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the future of the project and the community.