Shillong, April 9: The Green Tech Foundation Meghalaya on Thursday staged a protest outside the secretariat and announced an indefinite hunger strike, effective immediately, against the state government’s failure to halt or exempt tourism projects on Lumpongdeng Island in Umiam Lake.
Chairman of the foundation H. Bansiewdor Nonglang stated that the group is not creating any law-and-order issue but is strongly opposed to environmental destruction on the island. He said the organisation has already submitted representations to the government and held meetings with concerned authorities.
Nonglang also questioned allegations by authorities that the protesters were obstructing traffic, stating that buses were parked in the area and it was unfair to blame the demonstrators.
The foundation has specifically objected to the proposed Taj Umiam Resort & Spa project on Lumpongdeng Island, citing serious environmental concerns.
Clarifying their stand, Nonglang said the group is not against development but has demanded that Lumpongdeng Island be excluded from the project, raising concerns about how heavy machinery would be transported to the island without damaging the ecosystem.
Secretary General of the Green Tech Foundation, Ritre Lyngdoh, said that a petition has been submitted to the government seeking cancellation of the project on the island. He added that the demand is not to halt the entire 66-acre project but to exclude the 36 acres allocated at Lumpongdeng Island.
Nonglang further warned that the hunger strike would continue even if he is arrested, stating that the protest would carry on from jail if necessary.
The protesters have demanded a written assurance from the government confirming that the project and contract will be withdrawn from Lumpongdeng Island, asserting that they will not call off the agitation until such assurance is provided.
In the afternoon, police forcibly detained members of the Foundation, placing them in a bus and taking them to Sadar Police Station. They were later released in the evening.
After being released from the police station, Nonglang informed that the members would continue their indefinite hunger strike until the government fulfills their demands.
