Public hearing for limestone mining called off in Meghalaya after protest

GUWAHATI

The authorities in Meghalaya’s East Jaiñtia Hills district on Friday (Might 22, 2026) called off the general public hearing for a ₹1,800-crore built-in cement plant and limestone mining venture after two teams had a quick stand-off.

Locals mentioned a truck was set ablaze and some individuals sustained minor accidents when supporters of the venture and people against it confronted one another at Lum Syrman, the venue of the general public hearing. This was the second battle between the 2 teams in as many days.

On Thursday (Might 21, 2026), police used batons to disperse the 2 teams who clashed close to the District Justice of the Peace’s workplace in Khliehriat, the district headquarters. No less than two individuals had been injured in that conflict.

“The general public hearing was called off after members of the Jaiñtia Nationwide Council (JNC), Jaiñtia College students’ Union, and Hima Sutnga Youth Federation stormed the location chosen for the general public hearing,” JNC publicity secretary Mebanteilang Sukhlaiñ advised The Hindu.

The district authorities confirmed the cancellation of the hearing after listening to each teams. “The procedural elements of the hearing couldn’t be accomplished, as each events, particularly these in opposition to it, weren’t permitting the general public hearing,” the district’s Superintendent of Police, Pankaj Kumar Rasgania, advised journalists.

He additionally mentioned the arson incident was not on the website however on the way in which to it. “We’re but to establish who set the truck on hearth, and who it belongs to,” he added, insisting that there was no law-and-order state of affairs.

Hassle had been brewing over the controversial venture after Shree Cements Pvt Ltd proposed establishing it in Daistong village a while in the past. In response to the blueprint, the plant would have a clinker capability of 0.95 MTPA and a cement capability of 0.99 MTPA upon completion by March 2028.

A gaggle of about 60 villagers had challenged the venture in the Excessive Court docket of Meghalaya, contending that the land in Daistong was below their use and occupation. In search of an interim keep on the general public hearing, their counsel advised the courtroom that the manager abstract ready by the venture proponent had wrongly described the land as barren.

On Might 20, the excessive courtroom declined to remain the general public hearing, observing that the petitioners may current their objections and supporting supplies earlier than the authorities in the course of the hearing.

The United Joint Motion Committee of NGOs, comprising some 20 organisations, helps the venture. One of many constituents of the conglomerate is the East Jaiñtia Small Miners and Sellers Affiliation.