Members of the Greentech Foundation staged a peaceful protest outside the Secretariat on Thursday, demanding that the state government immediately revoke its decision to allocate land at Dewlynnong Lumpongpdeng in Umiam for infrastructure development by private companies.
The protesters held placards urging the government to scrap the agreement and announced the launch of an indefinite hunger strike as part of their agitation. The organization maintained that the protest would continue until the government withdraws its decision on the land allotment.
Speaking to reporters, Greentech Foundation Chairman H.B. Nonglang said the protest was carried out peacefully, without any intention to disrupt public life. He emphasised that the hunger strike would continue until their demands are fulfilled.
Nonglang further alleged that tree felling activities have already begun in the Dewlynnong Lumpongpdeng area, raising serious environmental concerns. He also accused the government of misleading the public through its statements regarding the project and its potential impact.
Clarifying their position, leaders of the organization stated that they are not seeking the cancellation of the entire 66 acres of land, but are instead demanding the revocation of 36 acres at Lumpongdeng that has been allotted to companies.
The Greentech Foundation reiterated its strong opposition to any development in the area that could harm the environment and urged the authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of ecological preservation and public welfare.
However, later, members of the Foundation were removed from outside the Secretariat by district authorities with police assistance on Thursday. Protesters, including Chairman H.B. Nonglang, were escorted away after staging a demonstration for several hours. Authorities intervened and shifted the agitators to maintain order in the area.