Residents of Umkhen area, along with the villagers of Nonghali and neighboring areas, staged a massive protest on Thursday morning, blocking the road with placards to prevent authorities from conducting a public hearing regarding the proposed Waste Management Plant at Lum Sohlait in Nonghali.
The affected villages lie at the border of East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and Ri-Bhoi districts. The protest was spearheaded by the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Par Umkhen and Nonghali.
According to reports, protesters gathered early in the morning, using stones and tree branches to block the road near Jaroid village, halting access to the venue for the scheduled public hearing at Nonghali.
The hearing, organized by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), was meant to deliberate on the proposed construction of a Waste Management Plant at Lum Sohlait under Nonghali.
The agitated residents, in large numbers, blocked the road, barring the MSPCB officials, magistrates, and police from reaching the venue.
The protesters expressed their anger, stating that they had previously sent letters to the government opposing the project but received no response. They accused the authorities of attempting to forcefully conduct the hearing without addressing their concerns.
