NGT ban: Protest march today, demo on August 1
SHILLONG: In protest against ban on coal mining by National Green Tribunal(NGT), the Hynniewtrep A’chik National Movement (HANM) has decided to stage a sit-in demonstration on August 1 in front of Meghalaya High Court where a hearing on the ban will be held.
NGT will hold its meeting here for two days on August 1 and 2.
Addressing a news conference here on Tuesaday, HANM members said that the sit-in protest is due to the ban on coal mining which according to them has left many people in difficulty economically.
The vice-president of HANM Bobby Basaiawmoit said that while the organization is in favour of safe mining practices, the decision by NGT to ban rat coal mining was taken in a hurry without giving enough time for the Government or other stakeholders to prepare themselves for safe mining.
“We have no problem as far as ensuring safe mining practices and implementing a proper mining policy”, he said.
Meanwhile a silent protest march against the NGT ban will be held on Wednesday starting from Polo covering many parts of the State before culminating at Polo.
The protest march is organized by Movement for Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood.
