Khliehriat, Dec 19: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has alleged that today’s public hearing at Daistong scheduled by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board for Shree Cement Company was conducted in an atmosphere of fear and obstruction, preventing many directly affected residents from attending.
JNC President Sambormi Lyngdoh told reporters that villagers and members attempted to reach the venue but were stopped by “unidentified masked men and village leaders allegedly sponsored by Shree Cement.” He said these men reek of alcohol were carrying weapons and a dumper truck was parked across the road to block residents from proceeding towards the site of the public hearing.
According to Lyngdoh, the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills was seen leaving his vehicle and walking on foot past the obstruction, which he described as “a very unfortunate indication that even the district administration appears powerless in the face of such elements.” He added an attempt by JNC leaders to speak with the Deputy Commissioner was ignored, and that “instead of police protection for peaceful villagers, we saw hundreds of masked groups controlling the road.”
The JNC president claimed that some directly affected residents from Daistong were physically assaulted by masked persons when they tried to make their way to the hearing.
He said JNC had prepared written objections detailing violations of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, but those who are objecting to the proposed project were unable to reach the venue to submit or read out their points.
“India’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to appear, speak and express their concerns at a public hearing, especially those directly affected,” Lyngdoh stated. “In this Shree Cement case, we have witnessed a clear violation of EIA norms and a serious assault on constitutional rights. We strongly condemn this kind of intimidation and manipulation.”
Lyngdoh informed that JNC is now waiting to formally submit its complaint and documentation to the Deputy Commissioner and other authorities. He announced that the council will pursue the matter before higher authorities and the courts. “We will not sit idly. We will take this issue to the judiciary so that such a public hearing, held under fear and force, cannot be used to justify environmental clearance for the project,” he said.
