‘Fight not for mining benefits but land tenure’
NONGSTOIN: The coal traders and land owners’ body in West Khasi Hills has claimed that the NGT ban on coal mining has affected the traditional land tenure system and it is fighting for the customary rights of the people here.
The Hima Nongstoin Land Owners, Coal Traders and Producers Association, which organised a public meeting here on Wednesday, said it was determined to fight for the land tenure rights of the Khasis.
“The fight of the association was not only for the benefit of coal traders but for our rights too as the ban has adversely affected the customary rights of the community in land tenure system,” said general secretary of the Association A.L Syiem.
The National Green Tribunal banned coal mining in the State in 2014. The protesting body said the blanket ban has affected more than 3.5 lakh people in West and South West Khasi Hills. Syiem informed that the civil appeal is still pending in the apex court since May 30 last.
The meeting, which was attended by hundreds of coal traders, also deliberated on the NGT orders which given the State Government the power to auction the extracted coal and also to decide on the future course of action.
Macmillan Byrsat, advisor to the Association, said their petition filed in the Supreme Court was for preserving the customary law and the land tenure system. “We all known that Hopingstone Lyngdoh, till his last breathe, had only one slogan, to preserve the customs and the tradition. So it is time for us to follow in his footsteps so that the customs are recognized by law,” Byrsat said.
He also slammed the State Government for not implementing the land tenure system or the land bill. “According to Para 3 of the Sixth Schedule, the District Council has the power to make law on land tenure system or land bill,” said the advisor.
Other speakers included R.S Sohlang, Sordar Shnong Markasa, M.S Ryntong, Headman Maweit and the meeting was preside by S. Rashir as its president.
