From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Former HNLC chief is allegedly misusing his power against coal mine owners in Jaintia Hills district. Coal businessmen, particularly those who own and extract coal at Briwar area under Elaka Nongkhlieh and Sumer Patorship have alleged that the former HNLC chief, Julius Dorphang along with other surrendered members of the outfit forcibly claim right over their coal mines.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, some of the mine owners informed that many mine owners are disturbed due to the presence of a group of surrendered HNLC in the area.
The surrendered members of the outfit were engaged by Dorphang to safeguard few coal mines belonging to some businessmen besides Dorphang’s coal mines.
Dorphang who normally visits the area along with some personal security provided to him by the government has allegedly threatened the mine owners who failed to comply to his directives.
The mine owners informed that Dorphang along with his men asked them to stop extraction of coal from their land as the land belonged to him showing documents proving that the land belongs to him.
A reliable source informed that recently, Dorphang asked one mine owner to stop extraction of coal from a land claiming that the land belonged to him.
When the real land owner tried to settle the matter, Dorphang demanded Rs 50 lakh which he could not pay.“Even the mine owner did not have the capacity to pay the amount demanded, Dorphang and his team forced him to pay and also threatened him with dire consequences if he failed to pay the amount,” a source said.“Several mine owners are facing similar problem in the area but fearing their life they are scared to lodge any police complaint”, a source added.