SHILLONG: A delegation of the Movement for Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood-Meghalaya (MIPRL-M) will leave for New Delhi on Wednesday to apprise Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the difficulties that has arisen due to the national green tribunal imposed ban on coal mining in Meghalaya.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, MIPRL-M spokesperson Erwin K. Sutnga reiterated that the jurisdiction of NGT in Meghalaya was a violation of the Sixth Schedule.
Stating that the NGT jurisdiction should be withdrawn from Meghalaya, he said that the traditional rights of the people should not be affected.
Reacting to a query, he claimed that around 10 lakh people in the State were being made to suffer due to the ban on coal mining in the State even as he refused to accept the existence of any terminology such as rat-hole mining.
Asked about the environmental degradation due to coal mining, he admitted that all forms of mining, be it sand or mineral, do affect the environment but added that there was a need to regulate mining activities in the State.
“We can take care of the environment later but how can we bring back those who will die of hunger,” he said, while mentioning that one person had recently committed suicide in a village in West Jaintia Hills owing to the ban on mining activities.
The Movement further questioned the claim that coal mining activities in Jaintia Hills was destroying the Kopili River in Assam, saying that the river is around 20-30 kilometers from Jaintia Hills whereas many coal quarries continue to operate in Assam which is just around one kilometer from the river.
“We should have a middle path through which we can take care of the environment as well as the people,” Sutnga said, adding, “the State Government and District Councils should work together to regularize mining activities in the State.”