Meghalaya Government has directed the East Jaintia Hills district administration to remain proactive and ensure that law and order is maintained “at any cost” ahead of the statutory public hearing on Shree Cement Ltd.’s proposed limestone mining project, as protests intensified across the district on the eve of the consultation. Emphasising the need for a peaceful and orderly hearing process, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said the administration has been instructed to closely monitor the situation and prevent any disruption. He maintained that while concerns over environmental issues are legitimate, the statutory public hearing remains an essential process through which all stakeholders can present their views before any decision is taken.
Talking to Media Persons in Shillong, The Deputy Chief Minister said, “We have asked the District administration to be proactive on this issue, handle it well to both DC and SP of East Jaintia Hills. A massive demand for it is there, not only demand to cancel but massive demand to go ahead. Hearing is very important. Ultimately through hearing only you can decide things because there are people who talk about the environmental issue, we are concern about the issue but at the same time the environmental issues is being taken care of not by the subject of State government but by the Central Government. The Act is very strong, the Act is very clear, we cannot bend even a single clause in that. Therefore, if you talk about the environmental issues everything is there in black and white, it has to be complied.”
Highlighting the economic dimension of the proposed project, Tynsong said the State also has to consider the benefits that industries bring to local communities. Referring to the existing cement industries in East Jaintia Hills, he said village authorities had informed him that such industries have generated employment and contributed to several developmental programmes in the area.
“The next, you have to also talk, consider one issue which is very very impact, that is the economic issue. People said we need more cement companies to be there in East Jaintia Hills because we have seen it a number of cement factories located over there. We have seen it even the Village committee and all they told me few days back we really get maximum benefits out of this. The company, Dorbar Shnong and everybody they work well they contributed to lot of developmental programme conducted or done by the village authorities. So therefore, my only concern is about law and order, but we have already instructed the district administration to be more proactive and make sure that law and order is maintained at any cost,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of escalating tension in East Jaintia Hills, where strong public opposition to the proposed public hearing for Shree Cement Ltd.’s limestone mining project triggered protests on the eve of the statutory consultation.
The public hearing is scheduled to be held at 8 a.m. on July 31 at Lum Syrman under Shnongrim village in Elaka Nongkhlieh. Residents and several civil society organisations have opposed the exercise, contending that it should not proceed until concerns relating to agriculture, livelihoods and the local economy are addressed through a transparent consultation process.
According to reports, villagers of Shnongrim, many of whom depend on farming in the Lum Syrman area, placed boulders and other obstructions on the approach road to prevent officials from reaching the venue. Officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the East Jaintia Hills district administration, accompanied by police personnel, travelled to the site a day ahead of the scheduled hearing. Sources said the advance visit was prompted by previous instances when officials had encountered road blockades and were forced to walk long distances to reach the venue.
On reaching Shnongrim, the officials reportedly found fresh barricades erected by villagers, delaying the movement of the government team. Residents questioned why police and government officials had arrived a day before the scheduled hearing and reiterated that the consultation should not be conducted until the project’s potential impact on farming, livelihoods and the lives of local residents is properly discussed. Following discussions, villagers removed some of the boulders, allowing officials and police personnel to proceed, although several barricades remained in place as protesters continued their opposition.
Meanwhile, fresh protests erupted at Umpleng Market after reports emerged that groups from different parts of the Jaintia Hills region were travelling to the public hearing venue in support of the proposed project. Protesters, reportedly led by members of the Hima Sutnga Youth Federation (HSYF), blocked the road amid allegations that people were being bribed to support the company. Police intervened to facilitate the movement of officials and others associated with the public hearing after they were stopped by protesters. During the operation, police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
With protests continuing at both Shnongrim and Umpleng Market, the situation in East Jaintia Hills remained tense on the eve of the public hearing, as residents insisted that their concerns over the proposed limestone mining project be addressed before the statutory consultation is allowed to proceed.
