SHILLONG: The Jaintia People Welfare Organisation (JPWO) has shot off a letter to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest on illegal extraction of limestone at Nongtalang area of West Jaintia Hills district.
The petitioners have stated that they were eye witnesses and a video recording was taken pertaining to the large-scale extraction of limestone by people and businessmen who export it to Bangladesh without prior permission from the State Government.
JPWO alleged that Nongtalang quarries violated the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, which prevent the use of machineries like excavators and drilling machines and to employ man-power along with their accessories for extraction of limestone/boulder stone by resorting to traditional method.
JPWO further added that hundreds of trucks and dumpers are transporting limestone from Nongtalang and Pynursla to Bangladesh by using the limestone challan of Lumshnong (EJH).
They also said some officers and staff of the Forest Department have a role in the whole episode.
