JOWAI: The NGT ban on coal mining has proven to be a blessing for residents of East Jaintia Hills and the entire state as well since illegal migrants can no longer take shelter in the remote coal fields of Jaintia Hills in the guise of being labourers.
“Had coal mining not been banned by the National Green Tribunal, thousands of illegal Assam residents not listed in the final NRC draft would have come to East Jaintia Hills for shelter and income,” said a former leader of a Jaintia Hills-based pressure group on Thursday.
He, however, stated that the KSU leaders who were interviewed by the media had grossly exaggerated the number of illegal migrants who were checked at Ratacherra village on Tuesday.
“KSU general secretary Donald Thabah had said that thousands of illegal migrants were sent back to Assam from Ratacherra while the fact remains that only 24 persons were sent back”, he claimed.
“We strongly support the move of the KSU; however we don’t want residents of Assam or other Indians to be harassed,” said a resident of Ratacherra village.
KSU activists had set up set up an ‘Infiltration Check Gate’ at Ratacherra village on Tuesday in protest against the state government for not implementing entry and exit points.
