The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Thursday demanded that the public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project be declared “null and void”, alleging that those opposed to the project were not given a fair opportunity to participate.
Addressing reporters, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that both supporters and opponents of the project were heard, public concerns were addressed, and the project’s merits were clearly explained before any decision was taken.
Basaiawmoit also questioned the excavation of roads leading to the public hearing venue, drawing a comparison with earlier incidents where FIRs were reportedly filed against youths who highlighted alleged poor road construction. He said the circumstances created suspicion that the government wanted the hearing to produce a favourable outcome.
The VPP president said the party would not issue any ultimatum to the government, maintaining that as a responsible political party, it expected the government to seriously consider the concerns raised instead of acting only under pressure or deadlines.