Shillong, April 2: The dorbar shnong of Wapungskur in East Jaintia Hills district on Wednesday registered strong opposition against the proposed setting up of a coke plant within its jurisdiction.
This came after the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on March 7, granted the consent to establish (CoE) to Om Om Coke for setting up a LAM COKE Manufacturing Unit with 1 chimney only at Thlakuru, Mookhep village wth a project cost of Rs 4.50 crore.
The CoE is valid for a period up to Febraury 28, 2026 unless otherwise suspended or revoked. The validity period shall be extended if necessary till such time the industry is ready for commercial production.
The dorbar shnong of Wapungskur led by its headman Postling Dkhar on receiving such information immediately conducted an inspection to the land, where the CoE was granted based on the no objection certificate (NOC) issued by neighbouring dobar shnong of Mookhep and found out that it still falls very much within the jurisdiction of Wapungskur.
“I am totally shock by this unacceptable action of the headman of Mookhep village. Despite knowingfully well that we have clear cut boundaries, he went ahead issuing NOC for setting up of the coke plant in our land,” Dkhar said.
“Therefore, we have come here today to express our strong protest against this illegal encroachment into our jurisdiction by a neighbouring village. This is totally wrong,” he added.
According to him, the proposed land is a forest land under the care of Wapungskur dorbar shnong and is located far away from Mookhep village.
The Wapungskur headman also informed that in the past, the dorbar shnong has turned down several requests for setting up of coke plants within its jurisdiction in the interest of its citizens because these will only lead to air pollution and environmental degradation.
“Therefore, we have decided to come everyday to this place to ensure no coke plant is allowed to be set up within our land,” Dkhar said while demanding the project proponent to immediately shift the location for setting up the coke plant elsewhere.
