SHILLONG, AUG 24: East Jaintia Hills police on Thursday resorted to firing of tear gases and lathi charge after a mob attacked the premises of the M/s Meghalaya Cement Limited (Topcem) as a mark of protest against the holding of a public hearing for the proposed expansion project of the company.
Over 9 police personnel were injured during the incident.
The public hearing was conducted for the proposed expansion of production capacity from 2600 TPD (0.858 MTPA) to 4500 TPD (1.485 MTPA) with 10 MW CPP and 9.5 MW WHRS by Meghalaya Cements Ltd, Thangskai.
However, while the public hearing was underway, protesters numbering 100-150 turned into a mob and started vandalizing the pandals and chairs of the venue. They also attempted to set the pandal on fire, district police chief Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said.
“Since there were many women and children present at the venue the district police did not use any force to disperse the mob,” he said.
Subsequently, after discussion with the district administration, representatives of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, village authorities and company executives, the venue for the public hearing was shifted to another hall inside the premises.
The SP said at around 2 pm, the mob again proceeded towards the new venue with intention to cause damage to life and property.
Despite several requests, the mob became more and more aggressive and turned violent. They resorted to stone pelting endangering lives of civilians, district administration and police officials.
“Reasonable and proportionate non-fatal force was used to disperse the mob,” Dhanoa said while informing that a total of 9 police personnel were injured in the milieu.
He said that a case has been registered at Lumshnong police station and investigation is underway.
Speaking to reporters, protesters said that they strongly oppose the issuing of the no-objection certificate (NOC) without any information and that the expansion of the plant will further affect the environment.
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