NONGSTOIN: Some blamed the government while others called for a continued struggle against the NGT ban on coal mining and transportation of extracted coal in the State in the public meeting of the Joint Action Committee of West & South West Khasi Hills Coal Miners & Exporters Association at New Nongstoin playground here on Thursday.
In the meeting chaired by Sordar of New Nongstoin, S Rashir, many expressed anguish over the alleged lack of proactiveness on the part of the State Government which, according to some, was responsible for the ban in the first place.
While speaking at the public meeting, a representative from the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong, West Khasi Hills, Spailin Sohlang said, “In 1996, the Supreme Court had put a blanket ban on the felling of timber which affected thousands who depended on it for their daily bread. In 2013 mining of sand and stone was banned and this time, it is coal. We cannot sit and wait for the judgment to be passed but fight for the revocation of the ban”
Sohlang also slammed the state government for allegedly not being able to safeguard the rights of the indigenous people.
“According to the 2011 census, in West & South West Khasi Hills, 31,000 of the over 64,000 households belong to the BPL category and mostly depend on the coal mining business for their livelihood. So we have to fight against the ban which has left thousands jobless,” Sohlang said. During the meeting the Chairman of the State Coordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners and Dealers’ Forum (SCCCOMF) of Meghalaya, Sony Khyriem spoke briefly on the actions being taken by the Forum on the issue.
“We are going to oppose this tooth and nail and we have to work together to find a solution to the problem. The government is one of the respondents to the NGT and is seeking time to ensure that the mining policy is worked out to meet the standards demanded,” he said.
Khyriem also appreciated the efforts made by the three MPs from Meghalaya– Purno A Sangma, Vincent H Pala and Wansuk Syiem-who “took the matter seriously”.
“Pala also raised a motion in the Parliament to revoke the ban arguing that the economy of the State was in the verge of collapse,” Khyriem said.
Other speakers in the public meeting included president of the JAC West & South West Khasi Hills Coal Miner & Exporter Association, Arphul Kharbani, president of HANM women’s wing, D.T. Jyrwa, president of Meghalaya Mine Owners & Dealers Association, JC Diengngan and president of the Jaintia Coal Miners & Dealers Association, B.Swer.