Meghalaya Home Minister says Shree Cement public hearing is a mandatory process after protests
Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong said the proposed public hearing for Shree Cement’s limestone mining project is required by
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong defended the proposed public hearing for Shree Cement’s limestone mining project at Lum Syrman in East Jaintia Hills. He said the hearing is a mandatory legal step and should not be seen as proof that the project has already received government approval.
On Thursday afternoon, police used tear gas and a lathi charge to disperse protesters near the venue. Demonstrators had blocked roads leading to the public hearing site, and later police moved in to clear the blockade. Videos from the area showed people running as police chased groups, and some vehicles at the protest spot were affected during the operation.
Hearing described as statutory requirement
Tynsong told reporters that the state government has directed the district administration to be proactive in maintaining law and order. He said the district administration has also been given a role in managing the situation ahead of Friday’s public hearing, after security was increased due to fears of unrest.
He added that there has been public opposition to the cement project, but he said local support also exists. According to him, some residents want cement-related industries to be set up in the district, citing benefits they say have been seen in villages where such industries already operate.
Environmental concerns said to be part of the process
Tynsong stressed that the environmental public hearing is a statutory requirement within India’s environmental clearance process. He said the hearing is meant to collect public opinion before any decision is taken, and that the government cannot skip the legal steps. He also said the state shares environmental concerns raised by groups and organisations, and that safeguards are handled by both the state and the Central Government, under legal provisions that must be followed.
He further said that village committees in East Jaintia Hills have informed him about developmental programmes they attribute to cement industries, including activities linked to village-level plans. He framed the hearing as the stage where community views are considered, while the government continues to focus on environmental safeguards and compliance with the clearance rules.
