Today, a leadership delegation from the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) submitted an urgent legal representation demanding the immediate cancellation of the July 31, 2026, public hearing for the proposed M/s Shree Cement Limited project at Lum Syrman.
The delegation, comprising JSU Central Body President Jersom Shylla, Education Secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem, and Finance Secretary Tricky Mukhim, officially met with the Chairman of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and Member Secretary, SEIAA, Shri R. Nainamalai (IFS).
The delegation also met with CPCB Scientist C Shri Arnab Mandal and the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills (DC EJH) to personally submit the memorandum and demand accountability.
Having now exhausted all legal avenues at the state-level departments, the JSU has issued a strict 10-day ultimatum for authorities to take decisive corrective action. If unaddressed, the Union will be forced to move to higher authorities, escalate the matter to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court of Meghalaya, and initiate severe democratic agitation against the government.
Key Grievances
- Sham Proceedings: The statutory hearing lasted only 46 minutes, intentionally locking out opposing farmers and landowners while exclusively admitting pre-approved individuals.
- State Collusion: State police unlawfully barricaded legitimate stakeholders at Lad Shnongrim, in direct defiance of official orders from the DC EJH mandating their participation.
- Sabotage & Humanitarian Crisis: Hired miscreants dug up and trenched primary access roads to block opposition. This malicious sabotage triggered a severe medical emergency, forcing a pregnant woman in active labor to give birth inside a stranded vehicle.
Core Demands
- Immediate Annulment: Formally declare the July 31 hearing null and void ab initio.
- Rejection of Draft EIA/EMP: Discard any clearance documents relying on the compromised proceedings.
- Fresh, Monitored Hearing: Organize a new public consultation under strict judicial or central monitoring to ensure safe, unhindered participation.
- High-Level Inquiry: Launch an independent investigation into MSPCB officials and District Police for dereliction of duty and collusion.
Press Contact
Jersom Shylla
President, Central Body, JSU
Contact: 7005806661
Bocheru Mi Pohsnem
Education Secretary, Central Body, JSU
Contact: 9856130842