Shillong, Oct 15: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against Shillong ropeway project will hold protests on Saturday( Oct 17) after the talks between the government and the JAC failed on Thursday(Oct 15)..
JAC Secretary Dr Linda Marbaniang (in picture)told reporters that the committee has decided to go ahead with its agitation scheduled on Saturday.
The public rally will start from Last Stop, Laban to the Sericulture Farm site.
Commissioner & Secretary in-charge Tourism RM Kurbah, Director Brenda Pakyntein and other officials attended the meeting representing the government.
Pakyntein said she will submit a report to the government regarding the outcome of the meeting.
However, the JAC is not happy with the stand of the government.
“We have not come to any conclusion in the meeting with the Tourism Department. As JAC, our message is clear and strong — we will not stop this agitation. We want the ropeway project to be stopped immediately,” Marbaniang said.
According to Marbaniang, Shillong needs water security, not a ropeway at its catchment.
“The public of Shillong wants water. We don’t want the ropeway at Lum Shyllong. Take it somewhere else where people need it. Our immediate need here is water, not a ropeway,” she asserted.
Referring to environmental damage, she said, “They have destroyed Lum Shyllong and cut down trees. We have to be practical. There is 60% deficit in rainfall in Meghalaya. This is common sense and reality. We don’t need to educate anyone about it.”
Marbaniang appealed to the people and said, “We from Laban Pyllun cry out to the government to listen to us. We are suffering and our children and descendants will suffer. Where will we get water, fresh air, medicinal herbs from our forests? Where will animals live? Please listen to us, we do not want the ropeway there. We appeal to all citizens of Shillong to join us in a peaceful walk. We don’t want any law and order issue. Let us walk together in honour of the Almighty who gave us Lum Shyllong and has provided us with everything,” she said.
When asked about the delayed action, Marbaniang said the residents are not aware about the mandatory public hearing.
“When the project started, we were not aware. There was no public hearing. The Rangbah Shnong did not inform us. We only saw trees being felled. After a PIL, work stopped briefly and then resumed, which forced us to come into action.”
Refuting claims that the catchment areas will not be affected, Marbaniang said, “If you cut trees, there is no rain and no rain means no water — that is common sense. Shillong has never been so hot before. The continuous 7-9 nights of rainfall we used to see has disappeared due to deforestation.”
