Anti-ropeway body to hold protest rally on Oct 17
Shillong, Oct 15: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against Shillong Ropeway Project has remained adamant on its demand for scrapping of the project at Lum Shyllong, stating that Shillong needs water security more than the ropeway.
The JAC decided to resume its stir after its meeting with the state government remained inconclusive on Thursday.
“We have not come to any conclusion in the meeting with the Tourism Department,” JAC secretary Dr Linda Marbaniang said after a meeting chaired by Commissioner & Secretary in-charge Tourism, RM Kurbah.
“As JAC, our message is clear and strong — we will not stop this agitation. We want the ropeway project to be stopped immediately,” she said.
Stating that ropeway is not a priority for people of Shillong, the JAC secretary said, “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 said.
Alleging 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.”
Making an emotional appeal, Dr Marbaniang 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?”
The JAC has called for a public rally on October 17 from Last Stop, Laban to the Sericulture Farm site at Lum Shyllong.
“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.
Dr Marbaniang also questioned the lack of mandatory public hearing, saying, “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.”
Dismissing claims that the catchment will not be affected, she 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.”
