Shillong, July 31: Tension marked the public hearing organised by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) for Shree Cement Limited on Friday, with student organisations and opponents of the project alleging stone-pelting, road blockades and restrictions that prevented them from reaching the hearing venue at Daistong in East Jaintia Hills.
In separate statements, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) alleged that members and residents who were travelling to participate in the public hearing were stopped near Tongseng at around 6 am by people suspected to be supporters of Shree Cement Limited.
The organisations alleged that stones were hurled from an elevated area and that catapults were also used against people and vehicles, resulting in damage to several vehicles and injuries to some persons. They further alleged that a portion of the PWD road had been dug up to prevent members of civil society groups and other opponents of the project from proceeding towards Daistong.
The JSU said it would lodge an FIR with the Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, against those allegedly involved in the incident. The union also said it would consider approaching the court if appropriate action was not taken by the police.
The union further alleged that an ambulance belonging to the JSU had been attacked with stones at around 11.40 pm on Thursday while it was travelling to pick up persons reportedly injured during an earlier disturbance near Iew Cement. According to the JSU, ambulance driver Rapbor Mukhim sustained serious injuries in the stone-pelting incident and was taken to Sutnga Community Health Centre for treatment. The attackers were not immediately identified, though the union alleged that they were supporters of the cement company.
Meanwhile, landowners and farmers from Lum Syrman and Shnongrim also alleged that police personnel prevented them from proceeding to the venue of the public hearing when they reached Lad Shnongrim at around 6.30 am. The group claimed that they had produced a written communication issued by the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills directing that landowners be allowed to attend the hearing. However, they alleged that police still did not allow them to proceed further. The landowners and farmers condemned the action, alleging that they had been denied an opportunity to place their concerns before the authorities despite being among those potentially affected by the proposed project.
Amid the protests and allegations outside the venue, the MSPCB public hearing went ahead and concluded within less than an hour. The hearing began at 8 am and ended at around 8.46 am. According to information from the venue, only persons supporting the Shree Cement project addressed the gathering. Five speakers were reportedly allowed to speak from the platform, and all expressed support for the company and the proposed project. Those who spoke included Willson Sukhein Tongseng; Nangiaid Pyrshang, Waheh Shnong of Bamkhoosngi; Pynpoibiang Dkhar, Waheh Shnong of Tongseng; Fencing Bareh, Secretary of Elaka Nongkhlieh; and Na-u-Kyrmen, Dolloi of Elaka Nongkhlieh.
The developments have raised questions among opponents of the project over whether all affected stakeholders were able to participate in the public consultation process.
At the time of filing this report, an official response from Shree Cement Limited, the MSPCB or police authorities to the allegations made by the organisations and landowners was not available.
