The Voice of the People Party (VPP), East Jaintia Hills District, began a sit-in demonstration today in front of the statue of U Woh Kiang Nangbah on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. The demonstration started at 10:00 AM and is scheduled to conclude around 5:00 PM.
Protesters carried banners reading “No to Shree Cement, Yes to Coal Mining,” “We Want Health Care, Education, Development,” and other slogans condemning the MDA government.
MDC Deiwi Tongper, social activist Reachingson Siangshai, residents of the Elaka Nongkhlieh area, and others participated in the VPP-organised sit-in. Fire and police department personnel were present nearby to maintain law and order.
Speaking to Media, VPP East Jaintia Hills District President Damewanhi L. Rymbai said the purpose of the demonstration was to pressure the government to scrap the Shree Cement project planned for Daistong village. He said the company entered the village using its own influence, and the VPP stands with the villagers and will not allow the plant to be established in Daistong.
Rymbai added that residents were emotional and worried about defending their livelihoods, which depend on farming. He also said the ban on coal mining has severely affected people’s incomes, questioning why the cement company can generate large revenues in the district while local landowners cannot. He urged that if the government allows the cement company to operate, it should also permit coal mining; otherwise, he warned, this protest is only the beginning.
There has been no response from the district administration yet. Rymbai said the VPP will notify the media if officials call them for talks.
