SHILLONG, Oct 27: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has decided to await the decision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MEF&CC) regarding the proposal to construct a cement plant by Meghatop Cement Pvt Ltd.
On October 24, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) forwarded a complaint related to the proposal to the Director of the IA-III Division of the Ministry.
“We have decided to wait for the Ministry’s decision,” said HITO president Donbok Dkhar, when asked whether HITO would persist in its demand to reconvene the public hearing within a week.
Previously, on October 22, HITO gathered at the pollution board in Lumpyngad to protest against the East Jaintia Hills district administration’s decision to prevent pressure groups from attending a public hearing at Wahiajer on October 18.
It may be recalled that pressure groups, including the KSU, FKJGP, HYC, and HITO, were barred by Wahiajer village volunteers from attending the hearing, as these groups opposed the proposal to construct the cement plant by Meghatop Cement Pvt Ltd.
The HITO president, however, informed that the organisation will submit a petition to the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forest, on Monday to seek clarification regarding the delayed actions taken against cement companies operating in East Jaintia Hills. “We believe that timely intervention is crucial for the protection of our environment and communities affected by these industrial activities,” Dkhar added. Earlier, HITO had also alleged dereliction of duty by the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills district during the environmental public hearing in a petition submitted to the Chief Secretary, which also highlighted the alleged inefficiencies.
It had alleged that the public hearing held on October 18 was “marred by rampant illegal obstruction caused by certain individuals, allegedly in connivance with the police and district authorities”.
