SHILLONG : More than 15 groups appeared before the Meghalaya government’s fact-finding committee on Friday to present their views on the Shree Cement project, with some expressing support while others raising concerns.

The committee, headed by Commissioner and Secretary in-charge of Home (Political) Cyril V. D. Diengdoh, was constituted by the state government to examine issues related to the project. Its terms of reference have already been made public.

Diengdoh said the committee received representations from both sides and had conducted hearings in accordance with its mandate.

“People have given representations both supporting the Shree Cement project and some have raised concerns. As per the terms of reference, we have conducted hearing of the people who have represented,” he said.

He clarified that Friday’s hearing was only the initial stage of the fact-finding exercise, with the submissions now being recorded and examined.

“Whatever hearing we have done today, all this would be taken on record and we are examining all this. Today we just had the hearing, so let us take it step by step,” Diengdoh said.

According to him, more than 15 to 16 groups participated in the proceedings, including representatives from the village concerned and various organisations. Some participants also presented their reasons for supporting the project.

Diengdoh clarified that no government agencies were called for Friday’s hearing, as the session was specifically meant for individuals and groups that had submitted representations to the committee.

“I don’t want to use the word pressure group, but whoever has represented, they wanted to be heard, so we heard them,” he said.

Responding to allegations that the exercise was one-sided, Diengdoh assured that the committee would examine official reports and documents from all relevant authorities, including the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police.

“Report will be sought from all. All the facts will be examined, all the documents, all the reports, from the Pollution Control Board, from the DC, from the SP, everything will be examined in toto,” he said.

He also defended the decision to conduct the hearing away from the project site, stating that the committee had provided an official platform for those who were invited to present their views.

Diengdoh said the committee had recorded the submissions made during the hearing and would proceed accordingly as part of its fact-finding process.

The date for the committee’s next sitting has not yet been fixed.