SHILLONG: Saw mill owners in Garo Hills breached all protocol norms by continuing to carry on with their activities despite the lockdown being imposed in the entire country.
According to sources, sawmills in Belbari, Gomaijhora, Wadagokgre near Old Bhaitbari, Patharkata, all in the plains of West Garo Hills between Phulbari and Rajabala are functioning on a normal basis for more than three weeks now with thousand of sawn trees lining up.
“With none to check on them, these mills are running round the clock. As to how they are being supplied with timber is anyone’s guess. It does not seem they are going to stop anytime soon,” said a resident of Phulbari.
With the lockdown in effect and curfew in place, it was expected that illegal saw mills would see a decline.
“These people, who are running their saw mills illegally, need to be stopped with immediate effect. Their greed has driven the entire region into becoming a wasteland. State authorities need to act swiftly and ensure these people are arrested,” said the GSU president of Phulbari FR Marak.
There are also reports that illegal stone quarries in old Bhaitbari have resumed despite the lockdown.
The SDO, Dadenggre, Sayid F Hamid said that inquiry into the matter was on.
