SHILLONG: Mine owners, dealers and others engaged in coal trade in the State have come together under one umbrella to pursue their case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for a reconsideration of the blanket ban on coal mining activities in Meghalaya.
A joint meeting of different mining associations from across the State held in Shillong recently resolved to form the State Coordination Committee of Coal Miners’ and Dealers’ Forum so that the task of pleading their case before the NGT becomes more concerted and strong.
Balious Swer, president of Jaintia Coal Miners’ and Dealers’ Association, informed that the forum was constituted with the objective of creating a strong and united front to plead against the mining ban in all future hearings of the Tribunal.
“While we intend to continue to work in tandem with the government while fighting for our cause, we will also now plead our case before the NGT in the next hearing on June 2,” Swer said.
He added that associations from West and South West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills and the Meghalaya Minerals Owners’ and Exporters’ Association are constituents of the new forum.
The forum has appealed to all political parties to set aside their party compulsions and lend support to their cause.
“I also appeal to all the district councils as well as all civil society groups to lend their support to our cause in this hour of extreme crisis,” Swer said, while urging the people to also extend their support through prayers so that the crisis is resolved at the earliest.