Wapungskur Dorbar Shnong opposes coke plant

Shillong, April 2: The Dorbar Shnong of Wapungskur in East Jaintia Hills has opposed   setting up of a coke plant in the area.

The protest is after the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) had granted the consent to establish (CoE) on March 7 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  validity of CoE is till February 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  headman Postling Dkhar inspected the land, where the CoE was granted based on the noobjection certificate (NOC) issued by neighbouring Mookhep dorbar and found out that it is within the jurisdiction of Wapungskur.

“I am totally shocked by this unacceptable action of the headman of Mookhep village. Despite knowing fully 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.

 The proposed la is a forest land under the care of Wapungskur dorbar shnong and is located far away from Mookhep village”, he said.

He said in the past, the dorbar shnong had 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.

The dorbar wanted the project to be shifted elsewhere.