Shillong, April 11: Secretary of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee, Manuel Badwar, has strongly criticised Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma over the proposed Lumpongdeng project at Umiam, alleging that the government is prioritising economic targets over environmental concerns.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the protest site at Malki, where H B Nonglang is on a hunger strike, Badwar said the Chief Minister is “overly focused on achieving a $10 billion economy” without adequately considering environmental sustainability.
He praised the protesters, especially the youth, for their determination to protect the environment, stating that their movement is driven by genuine concern rather than a desire for attention.
Badwar further urged the Chief Minister to listen to the voices of the people, emphasising that development should be balanced with environmental preservation for future generations.
He also questioned the choice of Lumpongdeng for development, suggesting that alternative locations could have been considered.
