Meghalaya tribal body gives 10-day ultimatum to protect farmer rights before cement project

The Jaintia National Council (JNC), an apex body representing the indigenous Jaintia community in Meghalaya, has given the State government 10 days to ensure that the rights of landowners and farmers are protected before any further steps are taken on an integrated cement plant and limestone mining project in the Lum Syrman area of East Jaintia Hills district.

The ₹1,800-crore project by Shree Cement Limited has faced opposition since May, when protests by a section of local stakeholders forced district authorities to call off public hearings. On Thursday, a JNC delegation led by its general secretary Wanshwa Suting submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, demanding immediate government intervention.

The proposed project covers 217.394 hectares in Lum Syrman. The JNC said the customary, possession, cultivation and user rights of landowners and farmers in the Sutnga and Nongkhlieh Elakas (traditional administrative units) are linked to this area. "The rights of the landowners and farmers of Sutnga and Nongkhlieh Elakas must be protected and preserved before any further irreversible step is allowed in favour of the proposed mining project," the memorandum stated.

The organisation argued that the issue of land "cannot simply be treated as an environmental or industrial clearance matter" without addressing the concerns of local residents who would be affected by the project. It demanded a time-bound and transparent verification of revenue, registration, customary, cultivation and other official records before the project proceeds.

Highlighting the dependence of local communities on the land for their livelihoods, the JNC said farmers' livelihoods "cannot be brushed aside in the name of mineral development." It called for "fair and lawful compensation for the loss (resulting from the project)", subject to the determination of the respective legal and customary rights.

Mr. Suting also alleged that the State government was favouring cement companies, even blocking residents from attending a public hearing held on July 31. "If the government is confident that everything has been done fairly and transparently, why should ordinary residents and affected landholders face obstacles in exercising their right to participate?" he asked.

The JNC clarified that its opposition is not to development as such, but to the project being pursued without ensuring justice, transparency and protection of the rights of local stakeholders. The organisation's 10-day ultimatum puts the onus on the State government to respond with a clear plan for verifying land records and guaranteeing legal protections before any further progress on the project.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Chief Minister's office or the State government regarding the JNC's demands. The project has been a point of contention in the region, with concerns ranging from environmental impact to displacement of communities. The coming days will reveal whether the government addresses the concerns raised by the tribal body or proceeds with the project as planned.