SHILLONG, APR 9: The Green Tech Foundation Meghalaya on Thursday staged a protest in front of the secretariat and announced an indefinite hunger strike, effective immediately, in protest against the state government’s failure to halt or exempt the implementation of tourism projects on Lumpongdeng Island in Umiam Lake.
“We are not creating any law-and-order issue. We are totally against destroying the environment of Lumpongdeng Island,” Chairman of the foundation H Bansiewdor Nonglang said, emphasizing that the group has already written to the state government and met with concerned authorities.
Nonglang questioned the authorities’ claim that the protesters were obstructing traffic, saying, “How can they accuse us of obstructing traffic? The buses are parking here, and yet they are blaming us.”
The Green Tech Foundation is specifically objecting to the development of the Taj Umiam Resort & Spa on Lumpongdeng Island, citing concerns about the environmental impact.
“We are not against the project, but we are saying exempt Lumpongdeng Island from this project because it is located in the middle of Umiam lake and how will you bring heavy machinery and destroy the island?” Nonglang asked.
Secretary General of Green Tech Foundation Ritre Lyngdoh said, “We have sent our petition to the government demanding they scrap the project, we are not demanding halting of the entire 66 acres but only 36 acres which they have given at Lumpongdeng Island.”
Nonglang warned that the hunger strike will continue even if he is arrested and sent to jail.
“We have told the police that even if you arrest me and send me to jail, the indefinite hunger strike will continue. If they arrest us today, the indefinite hunger strike will start from behind bars,” he said.
The protesters are demanding written assurance from the government that the project and contract will be withdrawn from Lumpongdeng Island.
“Until and unless the government has given us in writing that they have withdrawn the project and contract from Lumpongdeng Island, we will not move from here,” Nonglang said.
