KHLIEHRIAT : Five pressure groups—Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), Jaiñtia Students’ Union (JSU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Hynniewtrep Youth Federation (HSYF) and Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP)—on Monday staged a sudden sit-in protest in front of the statue of freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah, inside the Deputy Commissioner’s office compound in Khliehriat.
The organisations strongly opposed the recent public hearing related to Shree Cement in East Jaiñtia Hills, demanding that the Meghalaya Government immediately stop and cancel the public hearing.
The groups also demanded that the government first address and recognise the rights and demands of indigenous landowners from Sutnga and Nongkhlieh Elaka, as well as farmers who claim ownership rights over Lum Syrman, before proceeding with any further process related to the project.
During the protest, the organisations also burnt effigies of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the two Deputy Chief Ministers, Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla and Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla.
The protesters raised slogans including “MDA 2 Down Down” and “Shree Cement Go Back, Go Back”, expressing strong opposition to the government’s handling of the matter.
The pressure groups maintained that the concerns and rights of local landowners and farmers must be settled before any further steps are taken regarding the proposed development involving Shree Cement.