From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Officials of two cement companies in Jaintia Hills – Meghalaya Cement Limited and Dalmia Cement (India) Limited – lodged FIRs against FKJGP Jaintia Hills president Tuesday Lytep for forcibly entering the cement plants and threatening the officials and staffs, particularly non-tribal employees including non local labourers.
The officials alleged that around 60 FKJGP activists, led by Lytep, and accompanied by local coal suppliers had threatened them.
The officials alleged that Lytep’s brother, a coal supplier, had recently demanded ‘special rates’ for supply of coal which was rejected by the Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturers’ Association, which might have prompted them to threaten the cement plant staff.
Stating that the FKJGP had demanded establishment of a secondary school, a college and a good hospital in the area in 2010 and had again made similar demands recently, the JHCMA said, “The FKJGP has demanded the rate of the coal to be fixed at Rs 6000 per metric tonne to be paid in cash and sale of cement at Rs 180 per bag in the entire State, which all cement companies declined.”
The JHCMA further informed that the Association had written to the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner mentioning that most of the demands made by the FKJGP and the local village durbars had been complied with.
“Cement was being sold at Rs 160 per bag to local people and Rs 180 per bag to the people of Elaka Narpuh. Besides, schools and health centres have been set up in every cement plant in order to help both the locals and employees of the plants,” JHCMA said.
“However, we feel that the FKJGP has no right to fix the rate of coal at Rs 6000 per metric tonne as the rate of coal depends on the market value,” JHMCA added.
Meanwhile, Rangbah Shnong of the area, M Swer, has condemned the FKJGP president for his unwarranted action.
“At least they should have come and met us to discuss their demands before going to the cement plants and threatening the officials,” Swer said.
Police has registered a case against the FKJGP president under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.