Shillong, Aug 4: Farmers and landowners of Shnongrim village under Nongkhlieh Elaka have sought an independent inquiry after police reportedly stopped them from attending the statutory environmental public hearing for Shree Cement Company’s proposed integrated cement plant and limestone mining project at Lum Syrman on Friday.
The public hearing was conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) and chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Alertson Nongbri for 46 minutes.
In memorandums submitted to the MSPCB on Monday and to the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner today, with copies to State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), villages from Shnongrim and Lum Syrman said that around 7 am they were stopped at Lad Shnongrim on the N.E.C. Main Road by about 35–40 police personnel. According to them, the police informed them that they had orders not to allow anyone opposing the project to attend the public hearing.
The farmers said that even after submitting a letter to the Deputy Commissioner on July 29 requesting that landowners be allowed to participate in the public hearing, their request was not heeded.
In the memorandum they have also urged authorities to withhold any no objection certificate or clearance to Shree Cement for land at Lum Syrman until their grievances are addressed and due process is followed. They said they believe in lawful democratic processes and expressed hope that the authorities will take up the matter seriously and act in accordance with law and justice.
The controversy has also reached the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission. The Jaintia Students’ Union, in its complaint, alleged the hearing was conducted amid armed mobs and goons even as routes to Lad Tongseng were blocked, protesters were attacked with catapults, stones and sharp weapons, and vehicles were vandalized. The complaint further alleged that hired groups dug up the public road at Lad Tongseng.
Pressure groups in the Jaintia Hills have accused the state government, police and Shree Cement of orchestrating intimidation and termed the hearing “unconstitutional, non-consultative, and legally void ab initio.”
According to the company’s presentation, the lease area at Lum Syrman covers 217.394 hectares with a project cost of over Rs 73 crore. MSPCB officials said the hearing report will be submitted to the SEIAA.
