Shillong, July 30: Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered at Sutnga market in East Jaintia Hills on Thursday, allegedly blocking people who were seeking to attend the public hearing of Shree Cement Limited, scheduled to be conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on Friday at Daistong village in East Jaintia Hills District.
According to videos shared by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), a crowd gathered at Sutnga market under Sutnga Elaka and allegedly obstructed police personnel and people who were intending to travel to Daistong in advance, as the MSPCB had scheduled the public hearing for 8 am.
The JSU later informed the media in the evening that police again fired tear gas to disperse the gathering at Sutnga market. According to videos shared by the JSU, a woman who was walking with her minor children reportedly suffered a severe shock and difficulty in breathing after a tear gas shell exploded suddenly and she inhaled the fumes. The children accompanying her, however, escaped unhurt.
Meanwhile, media personnel and MSPCB officials travelling through Shnongrim village were allegedly stopped by people opposing the public hearing. The protesters also reportedly blocked the road by placing large stones in the middle of the road. However, following the arrival of police personnel, the media persons and MSPCB officials were allowed to proceed towards Daistong.
An audio recording has circulated alleging that Shree Cement Limited had engaged local residents to offer Rs 1,000 per person to increase the number of supporters at the public hearing scheduled to be conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on Friday at Daistong village in East Jaintia Hills District.
The audio recording was shared with the media by the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) on Thursday, following its receipt from individuals who allegedly claimed to have been offered money to support Shree Cement Limited. In the audio recording, a person who was allegedly offered money can be heard strongly questioning the person making the offer, saying, “How can I sell the future benefits of Shree Cement for just Rs 1,000 without thinking about the future?” The authenticity of the audio recording and the allegations contained in it have not been independently verified.
The JSU also informed that East Jaintia Hills police took three leaders of the Jaintia National Council (JNC)—President Sambormi Lyngdoh, General Secretary Wanshwa Suting and Publicity Secretary Mebanteilang Sukhlaiñ—to the police station after they allegedly proceeded towards the venue of the Shree Cement public hearing at Daistong on Thursday. The incident was reported by the JSU in a statement issued to the media.
The JNC, which functions under the umbrella of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisation (CoMSO), has been opposing the public hearing being conducted by the MSPCB in connection with Shree Cement Limited’s proposal to establish a cement plant and undertake limestone mining at Lum Syrman in Daistong village, East Jaintia Hills District.
