Shillong, September 22: Residents of Daistong village on Tuesday said the matter concerning alleged restrictions imposed during the public hearing for the Shree Cement project is now in the hands of the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), after they appeared before the Commission for a physical deposition.
The development comes around seven months after the MHRC admitted a human rights complaint relating to the public hearing held at Daistong on December 19, 2025. The complaint was filed on February 9, alleging that several people were prevented from accessing the venue during the public hearing.
Speaking on behalf of the villagers after appearing before the Commission, social activist Reachingson Siangshai said the MHRC has heard the matter around seven to eight times since February 10. “Today is the first time they have asked for our physical appearance. Now we are waiting for the outcome,” Siangshai said.
According to the villagers, access to the public hearing venue was allegedly blocked at two locations. At one point near Daistong, even local residents were allegedly prevented from proceeding, while at another point, members of NGOs and the general public were reportedly stopped from reaching the venue.
Siangshai further alleged that several of those involved in blocking people had their faces covered. “Many of those who blocked people were masked, as you have seen in the media,” he said.
He added that the Commission has informed the villagers that it will pass an order in the matter. “The Commission has informed that they will pass an order and we are waiting. We don’t know whether it will be after one day, one week or one month. People of Daistong have mentioned everything in the petition. Now the ball is in the court of the MHRC,” Siangshai said.
