Shillong: A fresh application before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has challenged the environmental public hearing held on July 31, 2026, for Shree Cement Limited’s proposed 217.394-hectare limestone mining project at Lum Syrmian/Daistong in East Jaintia Hills district.
The application, filed before the NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata by Bocheru Mi Pohsnem, Jersom Shylla and Wansalan Dame Patwet, alleges that the hearing was deeply flawed and marred by violent disruptions.
The petitioners have submitted electronic video evidence to back their claims, which include criminal sabotage of public roads, violent blockades that prevented citizens from attending the hearing, and an attack on an emergency medical ambulance.
They have also cited an incident in which a pregnant woman was allegedly forced to deliver her baby inside a car after a road at Daistong was damaged, disrupting movement in the area.
The video evidence has been submitted physically on a pen drive and listed as Annexure A-11. The applicants have identified five video records from news organisations and other sources in support of their allegations.
One video, attributed to JSU, reportedly claims the government did not allow certain persons to attend the public hearing. Another, attributed to GarohillsNews24, refers to government assurances on law and order during the hearing.
A third video, attributed to NE News TV, concerns the alleged delivery of a baby inside a car during a protest-related road blockade. The woman is identified as being from Nongkhllieh, and the application alleges that supporters of Shree Cement Limited damaged the road at Daistong, obstructing movement.
A fourth video, attributed to Shillong Today, relates to an alleged attack on a JSU ambulance and medical team during a rescue mission in East Jaintia Hills. A fifth video, attributed to Shillong Mail, alleges that supporters dug up a PWD road to stop protesters from reaching the public hearing, and that stones and sharp objects were thrown at protesters.
The application also seeks permission to submit the electronic evidence via pen drive, along with an exemption from — or court-assisted procurement of — a certificate under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023, which governs the admissibility of electronic records.