The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) East Jaintia Hills unit and residents of Shnongrim and Daistong have lodged an FIR alleging serious irregularities during the July 31 environmental public hearing on the proposed expansion and operations of Shree Cement Ltd at Lum Syrman.
The complaint, filed at the Crime Branch Police Station in Shillong, names East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Shailendra Bamaniya, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) officials Franky Laloo and G.H. Chyrmang, besides several other individuals.
The complainants alleged that genuine affected landowners were prevented from reaching the hearing venue. According to the FIR, heavy police deployment was made at Cement Market on July 30, while tear gas was allegedly used in the civilian area, affecting a woman and a child.
The complaint further alleged that people travelling to Lum Syrman were stopped at Lad Tongseng and faced stone-pelting. The KSU claimed that despite police presence, no effective action was taken to clear the alleged obstruction.
Another major allegation concerns the excavation of a public road connecting nearby villages to the hearing venue. The complainants claimed that heavy machinery was used to dig the road to a depth of around seven feet shortly before the hearing, making access to the venue difficult.
The KSU has sought an investigation into the alleged obstruction, the role of the district administration and police, the conduct of MSPCB officials and the possibility of undue influence or corruption linked to the project. It clarified that it was not alleging as a fact that any public servant had accepted a bribe, but wanted the possibility of improper financial dealings examined.
Meanwhile, all activities of Shree Cement will remain suspended while an independent fact-finding committee examines the environmental, social, legal and criminal issues raised by the KSU.
The Meghalaya government has assured the union that the East Jaintia Hills DC and SP will not be members of the committee, either directly or indirectly. The assurance came after the KSU objected to an earlier proposal that assigned the two officers a “vital role”.
The government informed the Meghalaya High Court that the committee would be headed by a senior government officer. The district administration and police would only assist with maintaining law and order during the process.
The committee’s members are expected to be shared with the KSU shortly. The High Court has fixed September 29 for the next hearing.
The KSU has also raised concerns over the arrest of its members and demanded action against those accused of obstructing the public hearing. The union said it would decide its next course of action after receiving details of the inquiry committee.
