HITO petitions govt against suppressing voice of dissent

Shillong, Oct 21: HITO has petitioned the chief secretary, the DGP and the human rights commission against preventing people from participating in a public hearing on cement plant.

In separate letters addressed to these authorities, HITO pointed out about the sheer inefficiencies and dereliction of duty by the concerned Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills district, as also the concerned Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills district, during the environmental public hearing for Meghatop Cement Pvt Limited’s proposal to construct an integrate cement plant which was held at Wahiejer village on October 18. “Whereas such public hearing was for the purpose wherein all the residents/stake holders/ NGO etc., were invited so as to voice their objections, if any, to such proposed project, and whereas a public hearing is meant to be a formal platform where citizens can express either their support or opposition to any proposed project. However, in the public hearing haphazardly held on 18-10-2024, there was rampant illegal obstruction caused by some persons, in apparent connivance with the concerned police and district authorities”, HITO said.

According to HITO, from early morning hours, a group of supporters/ volunteers armed with lathi gathered near the approach road to the hearing venue, apparently with the intention to obstruct the entry of any individuals or groups opposing the proposed cement plant, and as a result, the protesters, who are genuinely affected citizens, were barred from participating in the hearing, and more so, inspite of the situation escalating and the genuine citizens being obstructed, the concerned local administration and the police personnel turned a nelson’s eye without taking any steps for intervention and/maintenance of law and order.

HITO said majority of the affected persons/ residents were stopped from entering the venue and/or voice out their respective opinions/ objections and infact, large number of genuinely affected residents were even man handled and hit with sticks/ bamboos, etc., and despite the same, the concerned police personnel and district administration remained passive observers throughout such illegality, apparently for their own vested interests and/or reasons best known to them.

“It appears that the concerned Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills district, as also the concerned Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills district, who were responsible to ensure maintenance of law and order and ensure free and safe access for all, have failed to do so, for their own vested interests/gains and/or reasons best known to them”, HITO said.

HITO sought action against Superintendent of Police, East Jaint Hills and the Deputy Commissioner for the failure to carry out their duties/ responsibilities.