Protect farmers’ rights before cement project, Meghalaya tribal body tells govt.

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 an