SHILLONG : The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has warned the Meghalaya Government that it may face a contempt petition before the Supreme Court if it fails to scrap the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project at Lum Shyllong, alleging that the project violates a Supreme Court judgment.

VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said on Friday that the party had expected the government to respect the demands of local residents who have been opposing the project and seeking its relocation to another site.

He, however, expressed disappointment over what he described as the government’s continued insistence on proceeding with the project despite the objections raised by the affected residents.

“In fact, we were expecting that the government will listen to the demand of the local residents to stop this project and we are waiting for that moment to happen but sadly the government seems to be adamant on this issue,” Basaiawmoit said.

Warning of possible legal action, he said the party might be compelled to initiate contempt proceedings against the departments concerned, particularly the Tourism Department, over the alleged violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

He urged all concerned departments to take the VPP’s statement seriously, stop the project at Lum Shyllong and consider shifting it to another location as demanded by local residents.

Basaiawmoit alleged that several stakeholders involved in the project had violated the Supreme Court’s judgment.

“The party would like to state very clearly that all those who are involved in this matter which include the Tourism Department, the Forest Department, leaders of the Riat Laban are in contempt of the Supreme Court for violating its judgment,” he stated.

The VPP president also extended the party’s support to the ongoing agitation by residents of Laban Pyllun under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which has been demanding that the ropeway project be scrapped at Lum Shyllong and relocated elsewhere.

He condemned what he described as the government’s insensitive attitude towards the genuine concerns and objections raised by the local residents.

VPP questions FIR against KHADC officer

Reacting to the state government’s FIR against KHADC enforcement officer Kordor Synrem, who had sealed the Lower Terminal site at Madan Laban, Basaiawmoit questioned the decision to initiate criminal proceedings against the District Council official.

He described the FIR as absurd, arguing that the officer had merely carried out his official responsibilities.

“It is absurd on the part of the government to file an FIR against the officer of the district council. It would have been more interesting if the department has the courage to file an FIR against the Executive Committee of the council which is headed by the VPP,” he said.

“The officer concerned was just performing his duty as an officer of the council,” he added.

VPP invokes 1958 Forest Act

Basaiawmoit also questioned the Tourism Department’s position on the management and control of Raid forests, urging officials to properly examine the relevant legal provisions before proceeding with the project.

Citing the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District Management and Control of Forest Act, 1958, he said Raid forests were to be looked after by the heads of the respective Raids under the management of local administrative heads, subject to rules prescribed by the District Council’s Executive Committee.

“We would like to tell the department and request the department to do your homework properly and carefully. You should know about the management and control of Raid forest,” he said.

He maintained that the provisions of the 1958 Act were relevant to the dispute and called on the government to take the concerns of the local community into account.

The VPP’s warning adds another dimension to the growing dispute over the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, with the government maintaining its position on the project while local residents and the party continue to demand its relocation from Lum Shyllong.