SHILLONG : The Jaintia National Council (JNC) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) on Tuesday staged a protest march to the headquarters of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), demanding action over alleged governance lapses and the encroachment of community land in Elaka Nongkhlieh, East Jaintia Hills.
The two organisations submitted a memorandum to the Council, seeking the immediate removal of the Dolloi of Elaka Nongkhlieh.
According to the JNC and JSU, the Dolloi violated the laws of the District Council by facilitating a mining project at Lum Syrman without complying with the required legal and administrative procedures.
The organisations further alleged that agents of Shree Cement had forcefully encroached upon ancestral land belonging to residents of Elaka Nongkhlieh, claiming that the actions were carried out with the support of the Dolloi.
The protesting groups urged the JHADC to intervene immediately to protect the rights of indigenous communities and prevent further encroachment on community land.
Members of the JNC, JSU and residents of Elaka Nongkhlieh who participated in the rally said they would continue to defend their traditional land and ensure that no authority acts outside the law to the detriment of local communities.
The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the JHADC was not present at the Council office during the protest.
Council officials informed the delegation that the CEM had left the office earlier despite being informed in advance about the scheduled visit of the protesters.