Shillong, Jul 31: Violence marred the period before the public hearing for the proposed limestone mining project of Shree Cement Limited at Lum Syrman, East Jaiñtia Hills District today.
Videos shared on social media showed groups of villagers supporting the proposed mining project throwing rocks at those trying to go to the public hearing to oppose the project.
Farmers from Daistong village having farmlands at Lum Syrman were also prevented from going to the public hearing as police blocked their entry at Lad Shnongrim.
Three members of the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) were also reportedly detained by police for trying to disrupt the movement of officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to conduct the hearing.
Meanwhile, the Jaiñtia Students’ Union (JSU) said it would lodge a formal complaint to the Superintendent of Police, East Jaiñtia Hills against the lawlessness by groups supporting the cement company. It also said that if no action was taken, it would approach the Meghalaya High Court.
JSU education secretary Bocheru Mi Pohsnem told mediapersons that members of various pressure groups were detained by police without any warrant.
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According to him, the situation turned violent yesterday night when the ambulance of the JSU was attacked with stones while going to Shnongrim village to ferry a patient.
“The driver and medical aides were also assaulted by a group of people,” Pohsnem said.
He also alleged that outsiders were hired to attend the public hearing and support the mining project while women from Shnongrim were manhandled and not allowed to go to the hearing.
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“Goons armed with catapults and other objects were brought from outside and paid Rs 500 to Rs 1000 to create terror. This is not a public hearing,” Pohsnem alleged.
“We have informed the Deputy Superintendent of Police immediately after the attack by these goons and he assured us of help. We have recorded that conversation and will submit it to the SP along with a formal complaint on the violence,” he added.
