Illegal limestone trade continues in Jaintia Hills

SHILLONG: The government recently assured action against illegal limestone mining in Jaintia Hills but there are reports of illegal mining activities being carried out at night or in the wee hours with the alleged blessings from the higher-ups.
Sources said that though the government assured in the Assembly that illegal mining activities would be checked, operations are going on at night in areas under Nongtalang.
Besides, there are allegations of unloading of limestone-laden trucks before exporting them to Bangladesh.
The sources said mid-way, the limestone is sold to a committee that benefits from this and later, the trucks transport it to the destination.
According to sources, this violates the order of the High Court of Meghalaya.
Around four to five hundred trucks reach Dawki from Nongtalang every day.
The location of unloading of limestone is just before reaching Nongtalang CHC and it is immediately sold off to avoid any suspicion from any quarters, sources added.