Shillong, August 18: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has filed an Original Application before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, challenging the proposed 217.394-hectare mining project of Shree Cement in Jaintia Hills.
A JSU delegation led by Education Secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem, along with President Jersom Shylla and Assistant Finance Secretary Wansalan Dame Patwet, completed a two-day document verification process before finalising and submitting its evidence to the Tribunal.
The move comes after the Union’s 10-day ultimatum to the Meghalaya Government ended without, according to the JSU, any action on its complaints and FIRs. The Union alleged that the State Government, police and concerned departments had failed to act on the issues raised by it.
The JSU said it was approaching the NGT to seek a level playing field in environmental regulation, arguing that restrictions imposed on local coal mining should also apply to the proposed corporate mining project.
The Union further announced that it would move the Meghalaya High Court seeking accountability and legal action against the State Government over what it described as dereliction of duty in connection with the matter.
The JSU said it had submitted video evidence to the NGT in a pen drive. According to the Union, the evidence includes footage relating to a pregnant woman allegedly being prevented from reaching medical assistance after a public road at Daistong was dug up, an alleged late-night attack on a JSU emergency ambulance and medical team, and alleged digging of PWD roads to prevent protesters from reaching a public hearing.
The Union said it would continue to pursue the matter through legal avenues and urged the authorities to act on its complaints. At the same time, the JSU warned that failure to secure what it considers justice through the courts and tribunal could lead to large-scale democratic agitation. The Union reiterated its support for the people of Jaintia Hills and said it would not back down from its opposition to the proposed mining project.
