Shillong: A public hearing on Shree Cement’s proposed Rs 1,800-crore integrated cement plant and limestone mining project in East Jaintia Hills concluded on Friday amid controversy, with several organisations alleging that those opposed to the project were prevented from participating in the statutory consultation.
The hearing, organised by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) at Lum Syrman in Nongkhlieh Elaka, was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Alertson Nongbri. Proceedings began at 8 am and concluded in less than an hour.
Soon after the hearing, landowners and farmers from Lum Syrman and Shnongrim alleged they were stopped by police at Lad Shnongrim and prevented from travelling to the venue despite carrying an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills permitting landowners to attend.
According to them, they wanted to raise concerns about the proposed project during the hearing but were denied the opportunity to do so.
They described the police action as a violation of their democratic rights and argued that those directly affected by the project were prevented from participating in the consultation process.
Similar allegations were levelled by the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), which claimed that supporters of the project resorted to stone-pelting.
The organisation also alleged that a nearly 200-metre stretch of road at Tongseng Hill was deliberately dug up, preventing members of the union and residents from Elaka Sutnga from reaching the hearing venue.
Videos circulated on social media showed the damaged road, with groups supporting and opposing the project standing on opposite sides while stones were allegedly thrown from an elevated area.
JSU education secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem termed the consultation a “private hearing” rather than a public one and announced that the organisation would lodge an FIR on Saturday. He warned that if no action was taken by the police, the union would approach the Meghalaya High Court.
Pohsnem also criticised Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the Home portfolio, saying earlier assurances that both supporters and opponents of the project would be allowed to participate and that law and order would be maintained had not been honoured. He demanded Tynsong’s resignation, alleging that the government’s assurances had proved misleading.
The JSU further alleged that police had detained several leaders of the Jaintia National Council (JNC), including president Sambormi Lyngdoh, general secretary Wanshwa Suting, assistant secretary Allmiki Ryngkhlem and executive member Hillarius Siangshai. Superintendent of Police Shailendra Bamaniya said they had been kept in police custody. However, there were no reports of injuries.
Despite the protests, several local traditional leaders who attended the hearing backed the proposed project, saying it could bring economic growth and employment opportunities to the region.
The Doloi of Nongkhlieh Elaka, Na-o-kyrmen Sukhlaiñ, said the Elaka had accepted the proposal, expressing hope that the project would accelerate development and generate jobs for local youth.
Former secretary Willingson Sukhlaiñ also supported the project while stressing that environmental safeguards must be strictly implemented throughout its execution.
Echoing similar views, Bamkhoosngi headman Nangiaid Pashiang said the area’s limestone deposits presented an opportunity for economic progress.
With agriculture no longer providing adequate livelihoods and government jobs remaining limited, he said the project could create much-needed employment, adding that the Elaka had therefore decided to support it.
According to details presented by the company during the hearing, the proposed limestone mining lease at Lum Syrman spans 217.394 hectares and involves an investment of more than Rs 73 crore.
The integrated cement project is estimated to cost around Rs 1,800 crore. Shree Cement currently operates 19 cement plants across India and one in the United Arab Emirates.
Officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board said the proceedings of the public hearing would now be forwarded to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for further consideration.
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