The Dorbar Shnong of Wapungskur has submitted a complaint to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) objecting to the establishment of a coke plant within the village’s jurisdiction.
Representatives of the Dorbar Shnong stated that they have not given consent for the establishment of a coke plant to Om Om Coke and they were thus surprised that earth cutting activities began yesterday at Thlakaru in East Jaintia Hills, which is under the Wapungskur Dorbar’s jurisdiction.
Upon noticing this, members of the Dorbar Shnong immediately rushed to the site to inspect the area and found that the proposed coke plant would be located adjacent to the Dorbar Shnong’s reserved forest.
After further inquiry, the Dorbar Shnong discovered that consent had been granted to establish the coke manufacturing unit. The village leaders strongly condemned the issuance of such a licence by the concerned authorities, claiming that it was done without proper assessment of the area, consideration of the village’s context, or conducting any public hearings regarding the potential impact on the village and adjacent communities.
The village council has called for the revocation of the coke plant’s consent to establish (CTE). The MSPCB reportedly assured the Dorbar that it will conduct an inspection next week to understand the situation better and if there are irregularities then the CTE will be cancelled.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People and the Khasi Students Union have extended their support to the dorbar shnong.
On the other hand, a Self Help Group (SHG) in Lelad village has raised concern over the effects of air pollution caused by a coke plant there.
The SHG led by Nikiarwon Sutnga submitted a memorandum to Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla and East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi during a function on environment conservation organised by the Divisional Soil & Water Conservation Officer on April 1.
She highlighted that the coke oven plant at Lelad is posing health hazards from pollution and residents are getting sleepless nights inhaling the smoke.
