Protesters prevent public hearing on mining

JOWAI: Hundreds of villagers from Lumshnong and its adjacent villages in East Jaintia Hills, supported by KSU Narpuh Circle, came out on the street on Tuesday and did not allow the public hearing on expansion of limestone mining in the area, which was to be organised by the officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) and the deputy commissioner.
Villagers, including school students carrying placards and banners, blocked the road that leads to the Khub Mines of Star Cement Ltd, obstructing the government officials from implementing the order to conduct the public hearing issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The protest was against Star Cement Company’s bid to expand limestone mining from 9 lakh metric tonnes (per day) to 20 lakh metric tonnes.
Damekit War Pynkhlong, spokesperson of the Dorbar Shnong, said that if the mining interest expands, it will affect the environment and locals drastically.
“If we allow the expansion of limestone mining by the Star Cement, we will be facing air and water pollution and our residential buildings might develop cracks as the mining area is very close and the use of powerful explosives will make the entire area vibrate which will affect the buildings,” Pynkhlong informed.
Meanwhile, Star Cement officials blamed the new headman of the village for all the problems.
An official of the company said, “The expansion of the mining activities is very much in our own mining site, but we understand why the new headman has misled the entire villagers to stand against us.”
The official added that they will try to sort out the matter with the village Dorbar, adding “We hope that they will understand us so that the public hearing can be held in a peaceful way by sharing every individual’s views and opinions.”