Khliehriat, Dec 19: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board went ahead with the public hearing for Shree Cement Company at Daistong village after villagers and pressure groups were prevented allegedly by “masked men” from attending it.
About 114 persons attended the public hearing and four persons representing the Nongkhlieh Elaka spoke in support of the cement plant. There were no voices representing those who are opposed to the project, apparently as they were kept out from the venue of the public hearing at Madan Mooki.
Villagers of Daistong and nearby villages, pressure groups such as Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) and the Khasi Students Union (KSU) Opposition have voiced opposition to the public hearing way ahead of the date and submitted petitions to authorities that the Land Transfer Act has been violated and that the project does not adhere to environmental rules.
Several residents of Daistong and members of the pressure groups had gathered from 5 am with an intention to attend the public hearing to voice their opposition to the proposed cement plant.
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.
“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.”
HITO President Donbok Dkhar stated that holding of the public hearing by preventing those who are opposed to the cement plant indicates a “conspiracy” hatched by the NPP-led government under Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
“The Chief Minister chairs the single window agency and under him many coke oven plants were established. Outside he speaks about one North East, but wants to sell off the State and to make us swallow smoke. If this company is allowed to set base, many others will follow and affect the livelihoods of farmers,” he said.
Residents of Daistong said they have the right to voice their opposition as a public hearing is meant for all stakeholders to put forth opinions and concerns, whether they support or oppose the proposal.
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 at Khara Siang Lum Pyrshin in Daistong.
As per the agreement, one Bharat Sharma had purchased 61.97 acres of land at Khara Siang Lum Pyrshin at Rs 4 lakh per acre from Syrpaibha Sukhlain of Shnongthymme village.
The agreement entered on October 6, 2025 states that the buyer holds “absolute possession of the scheduled property” and that the seller “shall no longer have any claims whatsoever from the date of execution of the sale deed”. It also states that the seller has no objection to the buyer establishing a cement plant in the area, and no claims related to setting up of plant and loss of agricultural land shall be raised at any point in future.
At the public hearing, Doloi of Elaka Nongkhlieh, Na-O Sukhlain spoke in support of the cement company and said villagers will stand to benefit as the company will provide employment to local residents.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Elaka, Willingson Sukhlain said coke oven plants pollute the environment but villagers are in support of setting up of a cement plant. He said the Shree Company is expected to adhere to the environment norms.
Secretary Elaka Nongkhlieh, Fenching Bareh and Waheh Shnong of Lumshyrngan, Remi Shadap also spoke in support of the cement plant.
The public hearing was chaired by MSPCB Environmental Engineer Y.F. Laloo in the presence of East Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner Awasthi, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner J. U. Kharpuri SDO Sadar, Manish Kumar and others.
Meanwhile, the JNC said it will move the High Court. “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,” the President said.
