By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 27: The UDP Mawlai Circle has asked the state government to seek a report from East Jaintia Hills district administration on violence at a public hearing on Thursday which left over 16 injured.
It may be mentioned that the police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to quell the crowd at Thangskai, the venue for the public hearing, in East Jaintia Hills.
The hearing was regarding the Topcem cement company’s proposed expansion plan.
In a statement, UDP Mawlai Circle adviser, PT Sawkmie also questioned as to why the district administration did not call the protesters and the members of the pressure groups to learn the reason behind their protest.
“What we could witness is that the cement plant has misused its power by provoking the police personnel to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells on the protesters. We strongly condemn this action on the part of the cement plant,” he said.
While urging the government to listen to the views of the people, Sawkmie, former MLA of Mawlai, said that the government should also tell the cement factories to give preference to locals in regard with employment.
It may be recalled that protesters numbering around 150 people had vandalised the pandals and chairs at the venue on Thursday.
After discussion with the district administration, officials of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, village authorities and the cement company executives, the venue for the public hearing was shifted to nearby premises.
The mob again proceeded towards the new venue. They resorted to stone pelting endangering lives of civilians, district administration and police officials.
