Shillong, August 6: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), through its Central Executive Committee Publicity Cell, has expressed serious concern over the conduct of the public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project at Elaka Nongkhlieh in East Jaiñtia Hills, held on July 31, 2026, and has extended full support to the Khasi Students’ Union’s (KSU) 15-day ultimatum to the Meghalaya Government.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the JNC alleged that the public hearing was marred by reports of public blockades, the exclusion of affected stakeholders, and the alleged use of excessive force, raising serious questions over the credibility and fairness of the statutory process.
The organisation supported the KSU’s demand that the public hearing be scrapped and that accountability be fixed on the authorities responsible for the alleged lapses during the exercise.
According to the JNC, a statutory public hearing must ensure free, fair, transparent, and meaningful participation of all affected persons. It said that allegations that landowners, farmers, residents and other stakeholders were prevented from participating, coupled with reports of force being used to control the situation, have seriously undermined public confidence in the legitimacy of the hearing.
The council further referred to reports of tension following the hearing, including the detention of JNC members and members of the public, allegations of stone-pelting, the reported use of tear gas, damage to vehicles, and claims that a Public Works Department (PWD) road was excavated, resulting in damage to public property.
Stating that these allegations require thorough examination, the JNC called for an independent, impartial and transparent inquiry before any further statutory or administrative action is taken regarding the proposed cement project.
The JNC urged the Government of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), and the East Jaiñtia Hills District Administration to immediately scrap the public hearing conducted on July 31, order an independent inquiry into the reported incidents, ensure that no coercive or retaliatory action is taken against peaceful citizens and organisations exercising their lawful rights, and guarantee that any future public hearing is conducted strictly in accordance with the law with equal, safe and transparent participation of all affected stakeholders.
The council stated that the issue goes beyond a single public hearing, describing it as a matter concerning the integrity of environmental decision-making, the protection of indigenous communities’ rights, adherence to the principles of natural justice, and the government’s responsibility to uphold transparency, fairness and public trust.
Expressing hope that the state government would respond positively within the KSU’s 15-day ultimatum period, the JNC said it expects appropriate corrective measures to be taken to restore public confidence, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jaiñtia Hills.
