SHILLONG : The environmental clearance process for the proposed Shree Cement project at Lum Syrman in Nongkhlieh Elaka, East Jaintia Hills, is continuing despite the state government’s announcement of a status quo on the project, the Jaintia National Council (JNC) has alleged.
JNC Central Executive Committee president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), during its meeting on September 8, accepted a request from Shree Cement and listed the matter under Agenda Item 7 of its 103rd meeting for discussion related to environmental clearance.
Lyngdoh questioned how the clearance process could continue while the government has announced a fact-finding committee to investigate the violence that occurred during the public hearing.
“What is surprising is government says fact-finding committee has started work, but work of Shree Cement has not stopped. Paperwork for environmental clearance continues,” Lyngdoh said in a statement.
JNC questions government’s fact-finding committee
Lyngdoh alleged that the fact-finding committee could be an attempt to divert public attention from the concerns of landowners and farmers in Lum Syrman.
“This committee is only a ploy to divert and mislead residents of state, landowners and farmers who have rights in Lum Syrman,” he alleged.
He also questioned the credibility of the committee, stating that no notification had been issued outlining its terms of reference, procedure, composition, head or timeline for submitting its report on the violence and alleged forceful actions against people and their land.
“Right now this committee is still a shadow. We cannot trust it,” Lyngdoh said.
JNC cites previous government committees
The JNC leader also referred to previous committees constituted by the government, claiming that several had failed to produce meaningful outcomes.
“High-level committee for relocation of Harijans from Them Metor area has yielded nothing. Reservation policy committee also ended only as committee without benefit to people,” he said.
Lyngdoh alleged that the government has repeatedly formed committees whenever protests arise over community rights, but claimed that such exercises have not resulted in concrete action.
JNC says clearance should not proceed
Lyngdoh further argued that the fact-finding exercise would have little meaning if environmental clearance is granted before the issues surrounding the public hearing are resolved.
He said the public hearing is directly connected with the environmental clearance process and the Consent to Establish, and therefore the clearance process should not move forward while the government’s fact-finding exercise is underway.
The JNC president said the organisation would continue its agitation until the concerns of landowners and farmers are addressed and justice is delivered.