NONGPOH: Renovation and upgradation work at the Umiam-Umtru Stage III Power Station in Ri-Bhoi district has remained suspended for nearly a week after allegations surfaced that members of a pressure group assaulted workers during a labour licence verification drive at the project site.
The incident has triggered concern among village authorities and local residents after several non-local workers reportedly fled the area fearing for their safety, forcing the company executing the project to temporarily halt operations.
The controversy comes only days after a separate violent attack on workers associated with the Centre Point Group’s upcoming Ri Kynjai resort project near Sohra, raising fresh fears over the impact of such incidents on Meghalaya’s investment climate and ongoing infrastructure projects.
According to local authorities, around 15 youths allegedly entered the Umiam project site on May 28 to verify labour documents and reportedly assaulted several workers, including non-local labourers as well as Khasi employees working at the project.
At least five workers were reportedly injured during the incident. One worker, identified as Raj Kumar Sharma, allegedly suffered serious head injuries and required hospitalisation.
Village leaders from Nongdiengngan and Nongmahir expressed deep concern over the fallout from the incident, stating that the sudden suspension of work has severely affected local residents who depended on the project for employment and livelihood.
“It has become a massive loss for the local indigenous residents and Khasi citizens following the sudden closure of the project,” village representatives said.
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Several Khasi workers employed at the site also expressed frustration over the shutdown, saying they had lost their source of income and had not yet received wages for work already completed before operations stopped.
Workers said the project had created economic opportunities not only for labourers but also for local shopkeepers, transport vehicle owners and families connected to the project ecosystem.
“The project had brought genuine employment opportunities for many local people. Now everything has suddenly stopped,” one worker said. The village authorities clarified that they were not opposed to verification of labour licences or work permits involving non-local workers.
However, they strongly criticised the alleged use of violence during such operations.
Nongdiengngan Rangbah Shnong Dip Thangkhiew and Nongmahir secretary J. Thangkhiew said any verification exercise should be conducted legally and in coordination with local dorbar shnong authorities and police.
“We are not against document verification. But such exercises should be carried out peacefully and with proper coordination so that law and order is not disturbed,” the village leaders said.
They also warned that repeated incidents of assault at project sites could discourage future investments and development activities in the state.
Apart from affecting workers and contractors, the suspension has reportedly impacted tourism activities around Umiam due to falling water levels linked to the halted project operations.
The village authorities, along with affected workers, have now appealed to the Meghalaya government and Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) to urgently intervene and restore confidence among workers so that project activities can resume at the earliest.