Farmers and landowners from Shnongrim, along with members of the Jaintia National Council (JNC) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), staged a protest at the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) on Tuesday, demanding the immediate revocation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for the proposed limestone mining project of Shree Cement Company. The demonstrators also called for the removal of the Dolloi of Elaka Nongkhlieh, alleging that he had undermined the rights and interests of local residents.
The rally began at Ladthadlaboh and proceeded to the JHADC office, where protesters briefly clashed with police before entering the council premises. Although some attempted to enter the main office, leaders of the JNC and JSU intervened and urged the crowd to hold a peaceful public meeting instead.
Addressing the gathering, JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh alleged that the proposed mining project was being advanced without the consent of the affected landowners. He questioned the authority of the Dolloi to facilitate the project and accused the cement company of intimidating local residents. JSU leaders echoed concerns over unfulfilled promises of employment for local youth, while farmers warned that large-scale limestone mining could cause irreversible environmental damage and threaten their livelihoods. The protesters urged the authorities to protect community rights and reconsider the proposed mining project.