From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The KSU, FKJGP, HANM and the Western Youth Federation (WYF) of West Khasi Hills District have reacted sharply over the statement of the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi during her recent election campaign rally in Jowai.
Gandhi had stated that the Centre was aware of the threat illegal mining posed to the environment and informed that certain measures have already been taken to that effect.
The NGOs condemned her remarks and sought clarification on her “illegal mining” remark.
The NGOs said that the people of Meghalaya had since time immemorial enjoyed ownership of land rights and had been free to do as they wished with their respective lands.
They said that the people of the State had engaged in mining in their own lands and accordingly made their living.
They said that the Government of Meghalaya had also never interfered in the mining of coal.
The NGOs said that they accepted the mining policy issued by the Government of Meghalaya which does not conflict with the age- old right of
land ownership of the people.
However, they expressed their resentment over the Mining Policy of 2012 issued by the MUA government which was published in the Gazette of Meghalaya wherein the right to ownership of land had been excluded.
They also strongly objected the omission of the Land Transfer Act in the policy.
The NGOs reminded the people of the state that on December 12, 1996, the apex court had banned cutting of timber.
This had driven several timber dependent households to poverty. They warned the people that if the mining policy was enforced in the State, the same state of affairs would be reenacted in the State.
The NGOs also accused the Congress led MUA Government to be a remote-controlled Government run from Delhi. They accused that the MUA Government did nothing to protect the rights of the indigenous people of the State but rather worked towards its decline.
With this in regard, the NGOs urged the people of the state to be wise when they cast their votes on February 23 and vote for that candidate and party that looked after and protected the welfare of the indigenous people of the State.