An apex body representing an indigenous community in Meghalaya has given the State government 10 days to ensure that the rights of landowners and farmers are protected before proceeding with an integrated cement plant and limestone mining project in the Lum Syrman area of East Jaintia Hills district.

The ₹1,800-crore project has faced opposition since May, when protests by a section of local stakeholders forced district authorities to call off public hearings.

On Thursday, a delegation of the Jaintia National Council (JNC), led by its general secretary Wanshwa Suting, submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma seeking immediate government intervention over Shree Cement Limited’s proposed limestone project covering 217.394 hectares in Lum Syrman.

“The rights of the landowners and farmers of Sutnga and Nongkhlieh Elakas (traditional administrative units) must be protected and preserved before any further irreversible step is allowed in favour of the proposed mining project,” the JNC said.

The organisation said the customary, possession, cultivation and user rights of landowners and farmers in the two Elakas were linked to the Lum Syrman area.

It said the issue of land “cannot simply be treated as an environmental or industrial clearance matter” without addressing the concerns of local residents who would be affected by the project. It demanded a time-bound and transparent verification of revenue, registration, customary, cultivation and other official records before the project proceeds.

The JNC also said farmers’ livelihoods “cannot be brushed aside in the name of mineral development” and called for “fair and lawful compensation for the loss (resulting from the project)”, subject to the determination of the respective legal and customary rights.

“It seems that the State government is favouring these cement companies, even to the extent of blocking residents from attending the public hearing held on July 31. If the government is confident that everything has been done fairly and transparently, why should ordinary residents and affected landholders face obstacles in exercising their right to participate?” Mr. Suting said.

The JNC said its opposition was not to development but to the project being pursued without ensuring justice, transparency and protection of the rights of local stakeholders.