Shillong, May 8: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has raised sharp objections to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for a proposed mining project in East Jaintia Hills, accusing the Meghalaya government of ignoring its concerns. In a press statement, the council alleged serious flaws in the document, including references to Gujarat authorities instead of Meghalaya, reliance on a withdrawn seismic safety standard, and the absence of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in consultations.

The organisation questioned how such a report could be accepted, warning that the discrepancies may amount to violations of legal and constitutional provisions. It further claimed that local residents were excluded from a previous public hearing and accused the company involved of sowing divisions within the community.

JNC cautioned that if the government fails to respond by May 15, it will intensify protests at the Meghalaya Secretariat. The council reaffirmed its commitment to defending land, resources, and community rights ahead of the scheduled public hearing on May 22, 2026.