Nongstoin:
A total of thirteen chimneys were demolished at Nonglangpar (Kyllonmathei) in West Khasi Hills till July 15, as informed by the deputy commissioner.
A statement issued by the DC on Tuesday said that the state government has passed an order to demolish 57 chimneys constructed without valid CTE (Consent to Establish) by using control blasting, a team comprising of Gazetted Police Officer, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and Commerce and Industries under the supervision of H K Thabah, MCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division, Mawshynrut was formed. Consequently, the demolition of Chimneys and other physical infrastructure of the illegal Coke Plants has commenced from July 8, 2023.
The deputy commissioner informed that the District Administration and police in compliance to the order of the High Court of Meghalaya is taking concrete action against illegal establishment and illegal operation of coke plants in the district.
“Executive Magistrate and police conducted raids on December 16 and 17 last year and shut down 57 illegal coke plants. Also, the District Magistrate vide order dated February 2, 2023 had issued directives for the complete demolitions of all illegal and unauthorised constructed coke plants. The bee-hive ovens and pipes connecting the ovens and chimneys of 57(fifty seven) illegal coke plants were dismantled between February 2023 to April 2023 to ensure that they do not become operational again,” the statement said.
In order t o identify and prosecute the culprits involves in the illegal activity in accordance with law, a case has been registered in Shallang Police Station vide PS Case No.39(12)2022 U/S 188/34/379/120 B IPC R/w Sec 15 Environment (Protection) Act Sec 3 Explosive Substances Act and Sec 51(1) Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 2016, several persons behind these illegal operations have been identified and 6 persons have been arrested so far, namely Youdishthra Bhama of Assam, Ashish Arya of Assam, Khrawbok Rongrin of Shallang, Hopeful Nongtdu of Rymbai Synrang, East Jaintia Hills, Yaman Bansal from Beltola Guwahati, Assam and Eras Dkhar from Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills.
Pending the report of the Audit Committee on Source of Coal constituted by the Government of Meghalaya, 4(four) coke plants with valid CTE and CTO namely, M/s Shemphang Riangshiang, Pyndeng Jalong, Doranggri, Shallang, M/s Rilyngngam coke Industries, Kyllon Mathei, Shallang, M/s M.D. Coke Industries, Nongdakong village, Shallang, and M/s Carbochem India, Nongdakong village, Shallang have been shut down with effect from May 19, 2023 till date.
According to the Deputy Commissioner, the task of demolition shall continue and the process of demolition is targeted to be completed within 30 days with effect from July 7 and for the safety of the public, an order under Section l44 has been promulgated prohibiting movement of person or group of persons within a radius of l km from the location of these illegal coke plants.
The residents and local communities are urged to support and cooperate with the District Administration during the ongoing operations, added the deputy commissioner.