By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has warned that it will march to the Meghalaya Secretariat if the state government fails to respond by May 15 to its objections regarding the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of a proposed Shree Cement project in East Jaintia Hills .
In a statement issued by its Central Executive Committee, the JNC expressed "serious concern and deep disappointment" over what it described as the government's silence after it submitted formal objections on April 30 to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), SEIAA Meghalaya and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change regional office in Shillong.
Addressing the media, the organisation cited what it called three "admitted inconsistencies" in the EIA report submitted by the project proponent.
It alleged that the EIA document refers to proceedings under the Gujarat State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), despite the proposed project being located in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. The council questioned how the document was processed and accepted by Meghalaya authorities.
The JNC also flagged references in the report to seismic classification standards which it claimed had been withdrawn by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) earlier this year. It said the EIA was submitted after the withdrawal and raised concerns over the validity of the disaster management framework cited in the document.
Further, the organisation alleged that the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) was not included in consultations or consent processes, despite its constitutional role under the Sixth Schedule. It also pointed out that the buffer zone in the project area comprises a large Scheduled Tribe (ST) population, according to the EIA itself.
The JNC also referred to the state government's recent decision to exclude Lumpongdeng Island from the proposed Taj Resort project at Umiam Lake following public opposition, and questioned the differing approach in the present case.
The organisation alleged that earlier public hearings related to the project had seen restrictions on entry for local residents, and accused the company of attempting to influence local institutions.
Describing the situation as "systematic marginalisation", the JNC said it would not remain a "silent observer" and reiterated its commitment to protect land and constitutional rights in the region.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the organisation had submitted evidence-based objections and would escalate its protest if no response was received by the deadline.
"We are not a group that ends with writing letters. We are the voice of a people whose land, water, forests and constitutional rights are at stake," Lyngdoh said.
The council has also warned of a mobilisation towards the state secretariat if its demands are not addressed before the stipulated date.