The traditional tribal village council of Nongtrai village in East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya has moved Supreme Court in support of the Lafarge mining project. The French cement giant’s stalled limestone mining project in the area was set up to feed its cement plant in Bangladesh.
The recent development assumes significance since it was a section of the villagers from Nongtrai and an NGO Shella Action Committee which had dragged Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt Ltd to the court in 2007.
The Supreme Court had, in November 2007 granted permission to LUMPL to mine limestone in Meghalaya. However, in February 2010, after hearing a petition by 21 local tribals and the Shella Action Committee, the apex court overturned its previous order and stayed the mining project.
On 24 March, the Union government moved the apex court for lifting the ban, citing international commitments and diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, since limestone from Meghalaya was meant for a cement plant in the neighboring country. The Supreme Court had turned down the plea and asked the company to get a fresh environment impact assessment done.
The Dorbar filed a counter affidavit in the Supreme Court to counter the claims of the Shella Action Committee. The affidavit said the advent of Lafarge into the area had opened up many employment opportunities, besides other benefits and assistance.
Lyngdoh said since the land belong to Nongtrai Village Dorbar, it was for Dorbar to decide whether to allow Lafarge mine limestone in the area.
The Dorbar in its counter affidavit said that “The project has not resulted in diversion of agricultural land. No cultivation is possible in the mining area due to the rocky nature of the soil. The Shella Action Committee does not represent the native people of the area. They are not even residents of the area.”
Lyngdoh said vested groups, which comprised exporters whose business interests would be affected by the Lafarge project, filed the application before the Supreme Court opposing the mining project.
(Sourced from BS)
