Move against mining ban
SHIILLONG: The Movement for indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood-Meghalaya (MIPRL) would soon move the Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary at the PMO-level New Delhi on the matter of the NGT ban on coal mining in the State.
In a statement issued here on Friday, MIPRL chairman H. S. Dkhar said the indefinite economic strike called by the MIPRL was called off so that a viable solution can been worked out in the matter relating to the ban on coal mining.
He said it was necessary to approach the Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary at the PMO-level since a greater number of the issues will have to be resolved by the Government of India.
The MIPRL also urged the Meghalaya Government to address the list of ten issues submitted to the Chief Minister earlier, particularly the matter pertaining to payment of royalty, so as to provide relief to the affected people.
“This is the right time for the Government to address the environmental situation by implementing Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) which will involve people in afforestation programmes,” he said, adding that the pecuniary situation has to be addressed by the Government at the earliest.
NHRC intervention
The MPRL also asserted that it will approach the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the matter of police firing which led to the death of two people besides injury to six others in East Jaintia Hills District.
“Justice has to be sought for the two persons – Setlang Phawa and Direstmon Siangshai – and the injured – Tis Rymbai, Ruson Ryngkhlem, Rashiba Siangshai, Pyndapshwa Phawa, Iaraplang Rymbai and Phidalik Dkhar – and MIPRL will be approaching the National Human Rights Commission in this conection,” the MIPRL chairman said.