A total of 18 illegal coke plants have been demolished in East and West Khasi Hills districts of the State.
The ongoing drive by blasting chimneys of illegal coke plants is being conducted by the respective district administration in compliance with the order of Meghalaya High Court in December 2022.
West Khasi Hills district with a total of 57 illegal coke plants have razed 13 of them till July 15.
As per official statement from Deputy Commissioner, Garod LSN Dykes the demolition of chimneys and other physical infrastructure of the illegal coke plants at Nonglangpar (Kyllonmathei) commenced from July 8. He said the task of demolition will continue and target to be completed within 30 days with effect from July 7, 2023.
Dykes also informed several persons behind these illegal operations have been identified and six persons have been arrested so far with cases registered at Shallang Police Station under U/S 188/34/379/120 B IPC R/w Sec 15 Environment (Protection) Act Sec 3 Explosive Substances Act and Sec 51(1) Benami Tranaction (Prohibition) Act, 2016.
The arrested persons are Youdishthra Bhama of Assam, Khrawbok Rongrin of Shallang, Hopeful Nongtdu of Rymbai Synrang, East Jaintia Hills, Yaman Bansal of Beltola in Guwahati and Eras Dkhar of Nongstoiñ.
Stating that the district administration had conducted raids and shut down the 57 illegal coke plants on December 16 and 17, last year following which and order was passed for complete demolition of these illegal plants on February 2, 2023 the DC said, “The bee-hive ovens and pipes connecting the ovens and chimneys of 57 illegal coke plants were dismantled between February 2023 to April 2023 to ensure that they do not become operational again.”
He also said that pending the report of the audit committee on source of coal constituted by the State government four coke plants with valid CTE and CTO have been shut down from May 19, this year.
These are M/s Shemphang Riangshiang, Pyndeng Jalong, Doranggri, Shallang, Mis Rilyngngam coke Industries, Kyllon Mathei, Shallang, M/s M.D. Coke Industries, Nongdakong village, Shallang, and MIs Carbochem India, Nongdakong village, Shallang.
Dykes said the demolition of chimneys was undertaken by a team comprising of police officers, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and Commerce and Industries under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mawshynrut Civil Sub Division H.K. Thabah.
Meanwhile, another two illegal coke factories were demolished today in East Jaiñtia Hills by the district administration in its continued drive to raze down such plants.
The two illegal plants demolished under Elaka Sutnga are M/s Kamakhya Coke at Synrang Khimmyrsiang near Lelad and M/s SSS Coke at Thanguatah, that were constructed without having Consent to Established (CTE) from Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board.
The demolition of the chimneys of these two illegal coke factories was carried out under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner, J. Shylla.
Altogether there are 34 illegal coke plants in East Jaiñtia Hills district, out of which five have been razed.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya High Court on July 13 said that it appears that State may have woken up from its slumber and have been goaded into action (the demolition of illegal coke plants) by the court’s recent orders.
The court said repeated orders have been passed in matters pertaining to illegal mining of coal, the transportation of such illegally-mined coal and the operation of illegal coke plants in the State for the last 15 months or so.
