NONGSTOIN: The Nongstoin Coal Traders and Producers Association and the Sub Committee of the Hima Nongstoin Land Owners, Coal Traders and Producers Assocaition in an emergency meeting on Thursday decided to remain aloof from the bandh call made by the Jaintia Hills Coal Miners and Dealers Association on May 17.
The traders said that on May 17, Nongstoin and Mawkyrwat would have their weekly market days and partaking in the bandh would adversely affect the other businesses of the district that solely depend on the market days to sell their produce.
The traders also said that they had already appealed to the NGT by filing a petition to reconsider their decision on the ban on rat- hole mining in the State. The traders appealed the people to come and sell their produce on May 17 adding that all shops in the two districts would remain open.