Voice of the People Party protests Shree Cement mining hearing and plans Secretariat march in Meghalaya

Voice of the People Party (VPP) President Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit accused the Meghalaya government of bias in the public hearing on Shree Cement Ltd's proposed limestone mining at Lum Shyrman. He said the hearing, organized by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, was fixed, with supporters allowed to attend while opponents were blocked, and questioned Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s claim that more people supported the project than opposed it. The hearing follows a previous attempt cancelled after disturbances.

Separately, VPP announced a peaceful march to the state Secretariat on August 6 to press the government on the mining project and other grievances, including the Lumpongdeng Island proposal and alleged recruitment irregularities. Basaiawmoit warned that public anger was growing, urged officials to be present at the Secretariat, and stressed that the protest would remain non‑violent.