SHILLONG : The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has welcomed the Meghalaya Government’s decision to constitute a Fact-Finding Committee to examine concerns surrounding the proposed Shree Cement project at Lum Syrman and Daistong, while urging the panel to expand its inquiry beyond the conduct of the July 31 public hearing.
In a representation submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday, JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh welcomed the government’s decision to maintain status quo and keep project-related activities on hold pending the inquiry.
The JNC described the move as an important step towards ensuring fairness, restoring public confidence and resolving the dispute in an orderly manner.
However, the Council said the inquiry should not be restricted to examining the conduct of the July 31, 2026 public hearing for the proposed 217.394-hectare Lum Syrman Limestone Block-A project.
JNC seeks probe into land ownership and consent
The Council urged the Fact-Finding Committee to examine wider issues at the centre of the dispute, including land ownership, consent, customary land rights, agriculture and the livelihood of affected communities.
“The inquiry may kindly not be confined only to the conduct of the public hearing but may also extend to the wider and substantive issues that lie at the heart of the dispute,” the JNC stated in its representation.
According to Lyngdoh, previous official correspondence had already raised concerns regarding land ownership, alleged lack of consent, the impact on agriculture and livelihoods, and the protection of affected persons.
The JNC has asked the Committee to comprehensively examine the position of landowners in the two concerned Elakas in Lum Syrman, including their claims, possession, customary status and documentary records.
It has also sought examination of grievances relating to alleged coercion, dispossession or pressure allegedly connected with the proposed mining project.
Farmers’ livelihood a major concern
The JNC specifically highlighted the concerns of farmers and cultivators who, it said, have depended on the lands at Lum Syrman for several decades for their livelihoods and family sustenance.
“The Committee may specifically examine the plight of farmers and cultivators who have, for several decades, depended upon the lands at Lum Syrman for their livelihoods, family sustenance and daily survival,” Lyngdoh said.
The Council also called for similar scrutiny of Daistong village, where the company plant has been established.
It said the inquiry should examine concerns raised by landowners and residents in Daistong regarding land use, local consultation and livelihood impacts.
JNC seeks role for local representatives
To ensure that the inquiry receives adequate local inputs, the JNC has requested the government to consider associating the local MLA and concerned Executive Members of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in charge of Elaka Nongkhlieh and Elaka Sutnga.
The representatives could be included as members, special invitees or resource persons, the Council suggested.
The JNC clarified that the proposal was not intended to compromise the independent nature of the inquiry.
“This request is made not to dilute the independent character of the inquiry, but to ensure that the Committee is adequately assisted by persons who are institutionally familiar with the local customary system and landholding pattern,” it said.
JNC calls for field visits and time-bound inquiry
The Council has also suggested that the Fact-Finding Committee conduct field visits to Lum Syrman and Daistong and meet directly with landowners, farmers, traditional authorities and women’s groups.
It further proposed a time-bound mechanism for collecting relevant documents, land records and witness statements from affected parties.
With the government having directed that status quo be maintained, the JNC urged the authorities to begin field-level monitoring at the earliest and complete the fact-finding exercise within a defined timeframe.
The Council said a wider and comprehensive inquiry would help address not only questions surrounding the public hearing but also the underlying concerns over land, customary rights, agriculture and livelihoods that have fuelled opposition to the proposed Shree Cement project.