Shillong: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner and Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management, Matsiewdor War Nongbri, seeking the immediate suspension of the public hearing scheduled for December 2025 on the proposed Shree Cement integrated plant at Daistong in East Jaiñtia Hills.
The organisation submitted a detailed stay petition on Thursday, alleging serious violations of tribal land laws and procedural lapses linked to the project.
According to the JNC, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report indicates that the project land belongs to a tribal landowner, Syrpaibha Sukhlain, but has been purchased by a non-tribal individual, Bharat Sharma.
The council says this constitutes a violation of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, which bars transfer of tribal land to non-tribals without the written approval of the Deputy Commissioner.
The JNC claims no such permission, no mutation records and no approval from the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) are attached to the project documents.
The organisation has also questioned the project’s compliance with forest and wildlife norms.
While the EIA notes that the proposed site is 6.35 km from Saipung Reserved Forest, the JNC says the report contains no forest or wildlife clearance and does not include the divisional forest officer’s letter cited as reference.
The council further alleges that no no-objection certificate has been issued by the JHADC, the Doloi or the local village durbar, despite the land falling under Elaka Nongkhlieh, which it says constitutes a violation of the Sixth Schedule.
In its petition, the JNC urged the government to investigate the legality of the land transfer, verify whether Deputy Commissioner approval exists, examine ownership records and JHADC consent, and declare the transaction void if found illegal.
It also pressed for the public hearing to be halted until all legal requirements are met.
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The JNC said this complaint follows three earlier letters submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaiñtia Hills, the Divisional Forest Officer in Jowai and the Chief Executive Member of the JHADC, raising concerns about land ownership, environmental clearances and procedural compliance.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the council would not allow any violation of tribal land rights and urged the government to verify the legality of the transaction before proceeding.
He said the public hearing should not move forward until all questions surrounding the land transfer are resolved.
The organisation asserted that its actions are aimed at safeguarding tribal interests and ensuring transparency, adding that it will continue to monitor the matter closely.
