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More chimneys of coke oven plants dismantled in WKH

Shillong, July 18: As many as 13 chimneys of illegal coke plants in West Khasi Hills were dismantled till July 15.

The coke plants were in Nonglangpar, Kyllonmathei area of the district.

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The demolition target is within 30 days from  July 7, West Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Garod LSN Dykes said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dykes said the demolition of chimneys and other physical infrastructure of the illegal coke plants started from July 8.

The government had approved the demolition of 57 illegal coke plants constructed without valid Consent To Establish (CTE).

A team comprising a gazetted police officer, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and Commerce and Industries under the supervision of additional deputy commissioner in-charge Mawshynrut Civil Sub Division, HK Thabah was formed to carry out the operations.

The action was taken in compliance with the order by the Meghalaya High Court.

The joint team comprising executive magistrate and police conducted raids on December 16 and 17, 2022 and shut down 57 illegal coke plants.

The district magistrate in an order on February 2 this year had issued directives for the complete demolition of all illegal and unauthorised constructed coke plants.

The bee-hive ovens and pipes connecting the ovens and chimneys of 57 illegal coke plants were dismantled between February 2023 to April 2023 to ensure that they do not become operational again.

The deputy commissioner informed that to identify and prosecute the culprits involved in the illegal activity in accordance with law, a case has been registered in Shallang police station which include sections under Environment (Protection) Act, Explosive Substances Act and Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 2016.

He said several persons behind these illegal operations have been identified and six persons have been arrested till date.

These include Youdishthra Bhama from Guwahati, Khrawbok Rongin from Shallang, H. Nongtdu from Rymbai Synrang, East Jaintia Hills, Yaman Bansal from Beltola, Assam, Eras Dkhar from Nongstoin West Khasi Hills and Ashish Arya from Guwahati.

The deputy commissioner said that pending the report of the Audit Committee on Source of Coal constituted by the Government of Meghalaya, 4 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 MD Coke Industries, Nongdakong village, Shallang and M/s Carbochem India, Nongdakong village, Shallang have been shut down from May 19 till date .

For the safety of the public, an order under section 144CrPC issued on July 11 has been promulgated prohibiting movement of any person or group of persons within a radius of 1km from the location of the illegal coke plants.

The residents and local communities were urged to support and cooperate with the district administration during the ongoing operations.

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