Shillong, July 18: A total of 13 chimneys of illegal coke plants located at Nonglangpar (Kyllonmathei) in West Khasi Hills district have been demolished as on July 15.

The task of demolition shall continue and target to be completed within 30 days with effect from July 7, West Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Garod LSN Dykes said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The demolition of chimneys and other physical infrastructure of the illegal coke plants commenced from July 8.

The government of Meghalaya has approved the demolition of 57 illegal coke plants constructed without valid CTE by using control blasting.

A team comprising of 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, Mawshynrut HK Thabah was formed to carry out the operations.

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

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

The district magistrate vide order dated February 2, 2023 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 DC informed that to identify and prosecute the culprits involves 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 so far.

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

Further, DC 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, 2023 till date.

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

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

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