SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Joint Action Committee of All Jaintia Hills Transporters’ Association and Meghalaya People’s Labour Union have appealed for the public to attend the public meeting at 7 Mer, Jaintia Hills on February 11.
In a statement issued here, the two associations have appealed for public support as the meeting will discuss on coal mining which the organisations said has been delayed for a long time by the state government.
The organisations asserted that people are angry as there are allegations that the people who have links with the government are able to carry out mining activities.
The organisations maintained that it is high time to speak strongly against the attitude of the government and to come with major decisions taken unitedly.
Earlier, the All Jaintia Transporters’ Association and Meghalaya People’s Labour Union had met on February 6 to discuss the non-implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on resumption of coal mining in the state.
Moreover, the All Jaintia Cement and Clinker Transporters Association (AJCCTA) had questioned the government over the Supreme Court order on resumption of coal mining and transportation in the state.
The association had also questioned the silence of the 60 MLAs of the state.
The AJCCTA president Balen Thubru had said that the apex court had lifted the NGT ban on coal mining in the state seven months ago with restrictions on environmental issues by strictly complying with the MMDR Act.
However, the government is silent on the matter making land owners, mine owners and even those involved indirectly with coal related businesses upset and confused, he added.
It may be mentioned that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a ban on coal mining since April 2014 but the restriction was lifted by the Supreme Court on July 3, 2019.
The AJCCTA had also alleged that the truck owners and traders who are illegally transporting coal to Assam are allowed to pass through all the police check points in the state.
