By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Fear psychosis has gripped people residing in Sohkymphor village of Jaintia Hills district after cracks appeared in the Earth’s surface in a local market.
These cracks, which appeared suddenly in the middle of the road, has damaged the PWD road that connects Sohkymphor-Shangpung via Byrwai village.
Local residents believe that the cracks have appeared due to rampant unscientific mining prevalent in the district.
Echoing a similar view Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong has admitted that the rampant mining in the area has even affected some buildings in Sohkymphor village.
Talking to The Shillong Times here on Tuesday, Lanong, who holds mining and geology portfolios, said, “A marginal shift of base has been seen as far as the affected buildings are concerned.”
Following the incident, the Mining and Geology department has banned all kind of mining-related activities in the village.
The Deputy Chief Minister will visit the village on December 22 to assess the situation.