Khliehriat, Nov 27: Residents of Daistong village are opposing a public hearing scheduled for December 19 regarding a proposed cement factory. They argue that the factory will lead to pollution, impacting air quality, water resources and agricultural land.
Shree Cement Company plans to establish its plant with clinker capacity of 0.95 million tons per annum and a cement capacity of 0.99 million tons per annum, with construction planned to begin in 2026.
Villagers of Daistong are accusing the waheh shnong of issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) without the consent of the dorbar.
A large number of residents today told reporters that they will not allow the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to conduct the public hearing.
Daistong village in East Jaiñtia Hills has 140 households and villagers said out of this, about 70 of them have decided not to allow the board to conduct the public hearing for the proposed cement plant.
They said the cement company is planning to construct a cement factory in Khara Siang Lum Pyrshin in Daistong.
Philemon Sukhlaiñ, a farmer said the plan to set up a cement plant was known only after an announcement was made that a public hearing would be conducted in the village. He stated that the rangbah shnong has taken sole decision by handing the NOC for the proposed factory.
Sukhlaiñ stated that Daistong village was deceived by the Elaka Nongkhlieh when it was earlier announced that the cement plant would come up at Ryngksan. This decision was accepted not knowing that it would be set up in Daistong, he added.
Chwamiki Patwet said the dorbar on September 8 had allowed a committee and elders of the village to discuss the matter before putting it up before the dorbar shnong. However, the waheh shnong had gone ahead and made the sole decision.
Ridabha Sutnga, President of the Village Organisation Daistong expressed concern that a cement plant in the village would spell disaster for farmers.
