The fragile borderland region of Meghalaya near the Lumshnong area in East Jaintia Hills is once again in the news, this time following a violent incident at the Star Cement premises that has left one person dead. The situation remains tense, and local media from Shillong and Jowai are currently at the site near the cement plant where the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of the Jaintia Hills District are expected to address the agitated gathering.
According to local media reports, the violence was triggered by a tragic accident on May 18 near Wahiajer village along National Highway 6. A collision occurred between a truck belonging to Star Cement and a pick-up vehicle. The pick-up driver reportedly climbed onto the truck and physically assaulted the truck driver. In an attempt to flee the scene, the truck driver accidentally ran over the pick-up driver, resulting in the latter’s death.
Following the accident, the situation escalated rapidly. Around 300 individuals armed with traditional weapons such as daos gathered at the Star Cement compound, reportedly from nearby localities. The crowd vandalized the sentry post, CCTV installations, and assaulted security personnel. They also blocked the removal of the victim’s body, which was later taken to Khliehriat Civil Hospital.
In a swift and destructive escalation, the mob set ablaze 14 to 15 trucks parked within and outside the Star Cement compound. Efforts by fire brigade personnel to control the blaze were obstructed as the angry crowd reportedly attacked them and attempted to damage the fire tender. Police forces present at the site faced resistance while trying to protect life and property, and several officers were also reportedly attacked.
Additional police reinforcements were rushed in to bring the situation under control. Authorities managed to disperse the crowd late in the night and successfully doused the fire. Security has since been heightened in the area, with more police forces deployed around the plant and administrative officers on high alert to prevent further escalation.
According to reports, the truck driver fled the scene after the incident, sparking outrage among locals who then converged at the Star Cement compound in search of him. The state government has responded by deploying additional forces in the district to maintain law and order.
Star Cement has long been a controversial presence in the region. The companyā€™s cement plants in Lumshnong were established under the Northeast Industrial Policy, benefiting from subsidies and single-window clearances. However, their operations drew criticism and legal scrutiny for allegedly violating Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms and endangering sensitive ecological zones, particularly the renowned limestone cave systems of the Jaintia Hills.
Notably, reports from that time, including a widely cited article in The Telegraph, raised concerns about how cement plants had blocked the entrances of historical caves such as Kotsati-Umlawan with limestone quarrying debris. In 2012, the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), a local organization, filed Public Interest Litigations (PILs) against Star Cement and other cement companies operating in the region, alleging violations of environmental norms. Even during the early establishment of these plants, legal challenges were raised over their ecological impact. At the time, the companies in questionā€”Meghalaya Cements Limited (MCL) and Cement Manufacturing Company Limited (CMCL)ā€”operated under different names but now manufacture cement under the Star Cement brand.
Despite subsequent assurances from the companies to protect the local environment and preserve the caves, environmentalists have remained skeptical. Many argue that no amount of compensation or corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can undo the damage caused to such fragile ecosystems. Persistent concerns linger over how much the people and land of Meghalaya truly benefit from the cement production boom.
Renowned caver and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award recipient Brian D. Kharpran Daly had warned as early as 2005 that the region could face ecological catastrophe once the cement factories reached full-scale production.
As tensions continue to simmer, the community is demanding accountability from Star Cement. “There is always some problem here. We need clear answers now,” said one local resident, reflecting the widespread frustration and unease in the region. The coming days are likely to be crucial in determining whether peace can be restored and whether longstanding questions about industry, accountability, and environmental preservation will finally be addressed.
