Judicial panel finds acidic water, abandoned coal in EJH villages

SHILLONG: The NGT appointed judicial committee headed by Justice B.P Katoki, former judge of Gauhati High Court, visited coal mining villages in East Jaintia Hills and tested water samples from the rivers.
The committee also visited some cement plants in the district and wanted to know from where they procure coal.
The panel found coal dumped on the roadside and the stream water was found to be acidic.
Besides the retired judge, the delegation consisted of Prof. AK Singh of Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Dr Shantanu Dutta from Central Pollution Control Board and T. Dkhar, Commissioner and Secretary in- charge Mining department.
The DC and SP of the district assisted the delegation.
The team visited Sutnga, Star Cement at Lumshnong and others, besides testing the water from some rivers.
“We visited several villages under Khliehriat and a few steams and we found the pH level of the water below normal which is acidic”, he said.
To a question, the judicial panel chief said the extracted coal in some areas was found to be fresh but this needs further verification. Katoki said the delegation did not find anyone actively involved in coal mining as coal pits were abandoned.
“However, we found lubricants were applied in cranes which raises suspicion”, he said.
He admitted finding coal on the roadside and interior areas which may not have been inventorised.
“During our inspection at Star Cement factory, we wanted to know what is the source of coal and they said the coal is from Assam and Nagaland, but we asked for proof”, the retired judge said.
He is planning to visit Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma who were brutally assaulted in East Jaintia Hills.