Hundreds of residents from Daištong village and surrounding areas in Meghalaya’s East Jaiñtia Hills district protested outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wednesday. The protest, led by the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), was against the alleged transfer of community land to a private-run Shree Cement Integrated Cement Plant. Protesters accused the authorities of facilitating an unlawful handover of ancestral land and demanded that all proceedings related to the disputed land be stopped immediately.
The protesters, carrying placards and raising slogans in the local language, expressed their opposition to the alleged illegal sale of land. Community leaders and village elders addressed the assembly, denouncing the breach of local land rights and traditional ownership. They reiterated their stance that no private or industrial encroachment on ancestral land will be accepted without the informed and voluntary consent of the community.
JNC President Sambormi Lyngdoh warned that if the public hearing process fails to halt the alleged land acquisition, the community will escalate its protests. The JNC plans to seek legal recourse, including filing a case with the Meghalaya High Court, to protect their ancestral rights. The protest was peaceful but reflected the deep-seated discontent among villagers who fear that their customary lands are under threat of exploitation.
The JNC has pledged to persist in its campaign until the authorities and the company withdraw from the contested area. Lyngdoh issued a stern warning that if the public hearing proceeds and officials attempt to act with force, the community will respond with force. The protest highlights the concerns of the local community about the protection of their ancestral lands and their determination to defend their rights.
The community’s demands are clear: they want the authorities to stop the alleged land acquisition and respect their traditional ownership. The JNC’s plans to seek legal recourse and escalate protests if necessary demonstrate their commitment to protecting their ancestral rights. The situation remains tense, with the community waiting for a response from the authorities and the company. The outcome of the public hearing process will be crucial in determining the next steps in this dispute.