Shillong, September 8: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), East Jaintia Hills District Unit, on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Crime Branch Police Station in Shillong seeking registration of a case against senior district officials, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) officials and others over alleged irregularities surrounding the July 31 public hearing related to Shree Cement Limited.
In its complaint, the KSU named East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Shailandra Bamaniya, Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar, MSPCB Environmental Engineer Franky Laloo and MSPCB Member Secretary G.H. Chyrmang, besides certain local individuals and other known and unknown persons. The allegations relate to the Environmental Public Hearing held at Lum Syrman on July 31 concerning the expansion or operations of Shree Cement Limited.
The Union, which said it was representing affected landowners and residents of Shnongrim, Daistong and areas under Elaka Nongkhlieh, alleged that genuine affected persons were prevented from participating freely in the hearing.
According to the complaint, heavy police deployment was put in place at Cement Market from the evening of July 30 and local residents, including alleged landowners affected by the project, were prevented from proceeding towards the hearing venue. The KSU further alleged that tear gas was used in a civilian market area, causing panic and affecting members of the public. It accused the authorities of using disproportionate force against residents attempting to participate in the statutory consultation process.
The Union also referred to an incident at Lad Tongseng on the morning of July 31, alleging that residents travelling towards Lum Syrman were stopped while another group allegedly pelted stones at them from an elevated area. The complaint named several local individuals in connection with the alleged obstruction and accused them of acting in support of vested interests. These allegations have not been independently established.
The KSU also questioned the conduct of the MSPCB, alleging that the hearing was allowed to proceed despite the purported absence of some affected landowners and despite disruption and restricted access to the venue. It argued that since a public hearing under the Environment Impact Assessment process is intended to ensure participation of affected people, the authorities should have considered postponing the proceedings if meaningful public participation could not be ensured.
The complaint further alleged that a public road leading towards the hearing site had been excavated with heavy machinery, creating a major obstruction for residents attempting to reach the venue. The Union sought an investigation into who carried out the excavation and who owned or operated the machinery involved.
The KSU also raised concerns about the possibility of undue influence or a financial quid pro quo in connection with the events. However, the Union clarified in its complaint that it was not asserting bribery or illegal gratification as an established fact and instead sought examination of the matter by a competent anti-corruption or investigating agency.
Among its demands, the Union sought an independent inquiry into the conduct of the district administration and police, disciplinary action against MSPCB officials if wrongdoing is established, investigation into the local individuals accused of obstructing participants, and consideration of an anti-corruption probe. It also requested that a case be registered under appropriate provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws relating to destruction of public property and environmental matters.
The KSU said the complaint was filed after waiting for the authorities to initiate legal action over the alleged incidents, claiming that no adequate criminal action had been taken so far.
