SHILLONG/NONGSTOIN:
The East Jaintia Hills district administration on Wednesday demolished chimneys of the two coke factories which were constructed without having Consent to Establish (CTE) from Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board.
The coke factories which were demolished are – M/S Halari Coke Plant, Sutnga Elaka and M/S Shauryansi Coke, Wah Samsier, Sutnga.
The orders to demolish the coke factories were issued recently  as there was a likelihood that these illegal under-construction factories might attempt to operate clandestinely using locally sourced coal and thus facilitating illegal coal mining within the district.
The demolition was carried out by blasting through explosives.
While M/S Halari Coke Plant was demolished at around 12 noon, M/S Shauransi Coke was demolished at around 3:30 pm.
The district administration pointed out that all safety precautions were observed during the process and no injuries were reported.
The authorities also informed that the demolition exercise will continue over the next few weeks against all illegally constructed coke plants within the district.
SECTION 144 CrPC
The District Magistrate, West Khasi Hills District in an order issued under section 144 CrPC has prohibited movement of any unauthorised persons or groups of persons within a radius of one kilometer from the location of illegal coke plants in Kyllonmathei and Shallang areas.
The order was necessitated as it may not be safe for any movement of unauthorised persons in the proximity of the illegal coke plants during the period of demolition.
The order shall come into force with immediate effect and until further orders.