By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 21: The East Jaintia Hills district administration on Thursday said it was fully prepared to deal with any situation that might arise during Friday’s proposed public hearing on the Shree Cement limestone mining project at Lum Syrman under Nongkhlieh Elaka in the district.
Amid growing tension and protests surrounding the project, the administration has requisitioned additional police personnel from the state police headquarters to help maintain law and order during the hearing.
Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar told reporters that the district administration was prepared to handle any situation.
He said additional police forces had been requisitioned in view of protests and agitation witnessed at the Deputy Commissioner’s office over the past two days. He said the administration had managed to control the agitation and maintain order.
Asked if paramilitary forces will also be deployed, Kumar said the additional police personnel would be sufficient to manage the situation during the public hearing.
Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) Member Secretary George Hagi Chyrmang clarified that the authorities are legally bound to proceed with the public hearing process in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and subsequent amendments.
Chyrmang said the MSPCB received both objections and letters of support on the limestone mining project, which covers approximately 217 hectares.
He said the Board had issued the mandatory public notice and completed all required procedures under the EIA rules, including the stipulated 30-day notice period prior to the hearing.
Clarifying the legal position following the recent order of the High Court of Meghalaya, Chyrmang said neither the district administration nor the MSPCB had the authority to cancel or halt the public hearing unless specifically directed by the court.
“If the High Court had stopped us, we would have definitely complied with its direction. As there is no injunction or interim order staying the public hearing, we are bound to proceed as per the law,” Chyrmang said.
He urged all aggrieved parties to participate peacefully in the hearing and place their objections, either orally or in writing.
Addressing concerns raised by groups opposing the project over land ownership and consent of landowners, Chyrmang said the public hearing would form only part of the environmental clearance process.
Referring to an office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, he said the draft EIA report remains open to modifications and incorporation of suggestions received during the public hearing process.
“That is why, it is called a draft EIA. Suggestions and objections raised during the public hearing can be incorporated into the final EIA report,” he said.
