Umrangso Residents Oppose Proposed Cement Plant Over Water Concerns

Community Concerns Over Cement Plant Proposal

Haflong, Oct 1: Tensions are escalating in the villages surrounding Umrangso regarding the proposed cement manufacturing facility by M/s JK Mahalaxmi Cement Ltd. Residents from Nobdi Longkukro and other nearby communities have formally submitted a memorandum to the Pollution Control Board Assam (PCBA) expressing their objections.

This memorandum is in response to a public hearing set to occur at the Football Ground in Umrangso, which pertains to the pollution clearance for the cement plant and a limestone block at Hanjanglangso village.

Local inhabitants have contested the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted by the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Haflong, which allows the company to utilize water from Longku Nalla.

The memorandum highlights that Longku Nalla serves as a vital water source for numerous downstream villages, including Boro Langklam, Krangmenglangso, Boro Longku, Dima Longku, and Longku Bazar. The residents rely on this stream for essential needs such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing, especially during dry periods.

Additionally, the memorandum points out that both livestock and wildlife in the vicinity depend on this water source.

Concerns have been raised regarding the potential effects of the proposed industrial facility on this water source. The objectors fear that cement production could lead to the release of process effluent, kiln and cooling water discharge, oil, grease, and dust, which might contaminate the stream through surface runoff.

Moreover, the villagers noted that the issue of Longku Nalla's water usage is currently under review by the Gauhati High Court in Writ Petition No. 3600/2026, involving Nobdi Longkukro Village against M/s JK Mahalaxmi Cement Ltd. They argue that the pollution clearance process should not proceed while the matter is still sub judice.

The memorandum claims that the villagers, whose consent the NOC allegedly represents, were not consulted, and that the NOC does not accurately reflect the opinions of the affected communities.

In their appeal to the Pollution Control Board, the villagers requested that the NOC for using Longku Nalla's water be deemed invalid and withdrawn. They also called for any decisions regarding the water source to be postponed until the High Court resolves the pending writ petition.

Among their additional requests are an independent hydrological and water quality assessment of Longku Nalla, including downstream villages, and a chance for all impacted communities, such as Boro Langklam, Krangmenglangso, and Nobdi Longkukro, to voice their concerns before any further actions are taken.

This latest objection arises amid ongoing worries among local residents about the proposed limestone mining and cement projects in the Umrangso region. On September 25, residents from the Umrangso 19 Km village submitted a separate memorandum to the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC), seeking resolution for issues related to land acquisition and compensation.

The residents indicated that several bighas of land had previously been allocated for cement and limestone mining projects to promote industrial and overall development in Dima Hasao and Assam, yet many grievances from affected individuals remain unresolved.