Nongpoh, Feb 4: Residents of Lower Balian village in the Byrnihat area of Ri-Bhoi district staged a protest against Shyam Century Ferrous Limited, alleging that despite a closure notice the factory has been illegally operating as clinker storage and handling facility.
The protesters, comprising elders, women, and youths, marched to the factory holding placards and raised slogans condemning both the factory management and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) for their alleged inaction.
According to villagers, the MSPCB has confined itself to office tasks, neglecting necessary field inspections despite the persistent pollution and health issues beleaguering the Byrnihat area.
According to the protesters, dozens and at times hundreds of trucks were seen entering and exiting the “closed” factory premises. They claim the dust created from clinker storage has severely impacted their living conditions.
The protesters also claimed that the factory has been operating without the consent of the local shnong, without a valid trading licence, and without proper authorisation to conduct clinker-related business.
Before the protesters arrived, the factory gate was locked from inside, with police personnel from Byrnihat present at the spot. Despite repeated requests by the protesters to open the gate, no one responded, forcing the locals to break open the gate and enter the premises.
The protesters gave the factory authorities ten minutes to produce documents authorizing the operation of the site as a coal storage facility. However, when the authorities failed to produce any valid documents, the protesters locked the factory gate.
Local residents Phrangsngi Pohtam, Surajit D. Sangma, and Himanta Timung told reporters that the closed factory had been operating covertly to store clinker and transport it to other locations. They stated that due to the failure of the factory management to produce necessary documents, the residents were left with no option but to lock the premises.
The residents further alleged that officials from the MSPCB visited the site only briefly and left within half an hour without understanding the gravity of the problems faced by the people on a daily basis.
They demand that strict measures be taken against factories that contribute to pollution, asserting that the residents of Byrnihat deserve to live safely and peacefully.
