Members of the Green-Tech Foundation intensified their protest against a proposed five-star tourism project on Lumpongdeng Island by staging a demonstration in front of the Secretariat on Friday. The group also announced an indefinite hunger strike, expressing strong opposition to the state government’s decision to include the island in a large-scale resort development project.
Lumpongdeng Island, located in the middle of Umiam Lake, has become the focal point of growing environmental concerns. The project, reportedly awarded to a company associated with the Taj group of hotels, has sparked debate over its potential ecological impact. Protesters argue that the island’s fragile ecosystem could be severely damaged if heavy machinery is brought in for construction.
The Green-Tech Foundation has been actively raising the issue over the past several days through media outreach and on-ground demonstrations. Earlier this week, members also organized a sit-in protest on the island itself. Despite multiple meetings with concerned authorities, the group claims that their demands have not been addressed.
Speaking during the protest, Foundation Chairman H. Bansiewdor Nonglang clarified that the organization is not entirely against development. However, he stressed that Lumpongdeng Island should be exempted from the project due to its sensitive location. He questioned the feasibility of transporting heavy equipment to the island without causing environmental degradation.
The protesters initially gathered at the Secretariat gate, demanding a written assurance from the government that the project would be scrapped or modified to exclude the island. However, authorities instructed them to relocate, citing restrictions on protests in that area. Even after moving to the opposite side of the road, the group was asked to disperse, as they had not obtained prior permission from the deputy commissioner.
Subsequently, Nonglang and several other members were taken into police custody. They were released after a few hours. Following his release, Nonglang reaffirmed the group’s commitment to continue the agitation until the government provides a formal written assurance addressing their concerns.
The situation highlights the growing tension between development initiatives and environmental preservation in the region. As the protest continues, all eyes are now on the state government’s response to the demands raised by the Green-Tech Foundation.