Editor,
Although deemed unsafe and with a mediocre quality of coal, many people see rat-hole mines as a treasure chest. Meghalaya and its catastrophic rat-hole mining incidents seem to not have an ending. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned rat-hole mining in 2014, retaining the same ban in the year 2015. The reason for the ban was on the grounds that this practice is unscientific and unsafe not only to the workers but the environment as a whole. Sadly, with the incidents occurring in Meghalaya time and again, one can only say that the orders of the Tribunal have been widely violated without exception as illegal mining seems to be effectively carried out in many parts of the State especially in Jaintia Hills.
This takes me back to the Ksan mining incident which took place back in 2018 where 15 miners got trapped in a flooded illegal coal mine at Ksan in East Jaintia Hills District. Despite all seeming ingredients for a successful mission garnering even national media spotlight, there was only little success that was met with just two bodies recovered and the rest still trapped into what we can now say would be just skeletons remaining.
In January this year too, six labourers died after a crane collapsed into the pit of a coal mine in East Jaintia Hills. Yet again, another tragedy struck Meghalaya on 31 May 2021, with five people trapped and feared dead after being stuck in an illegal coal mine in Umpleng, East Jaintia Hills. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Home Department as well as the minister concerned is not doing their job right. For some people, especially poor workers, working in a rat-hole mine seems to be a last resort to earn something to feed themselves and if not themselves then their families. It is seen as an economic activity that will provide them with what is needed to afford the basics of life. As much as we would like to blame them for wanting to work under such dangerous situations, we must also understand that such people only do so for they have mouths to feed. It will not be wrong however, to state that we can blame the owners of the mines who know the dangers and risk involved but go on with it for the feel of the warmth of money in their pockets. What is also revealed is the involvement of coal thieves and local politicians and officials in dishonest dealings in coal. The royalty they get from illegal mining of coal surmounts and surpasses many other activities that are done through legal ways.
Although recently the Union Ministry of Coal has already set the ball rolling for scientific mining in Meghalaya, such incidences speak otherwise. As concerned citizens, we can therefore only question those in power, especially the Home Department as to what exactly is their way forward when it comes to this activity which has taken away many precious lives. Are the souls and lives of those innocent people lost not worthy enough for rat-hole mining to be deemed unfit and to be entirely and completely banned from the State?
Time and again we have come across many social activists and NGOs raising their concerns and voicing out their opinions against this activity. But unfortunately, they have always gone unheard or rather have been ignored. Questions have also been raised by many as to how the labourers hailing from Assam were brought in to work in the mine during the lockdown? Is the Home Minister and his Department not keeping a careful watch on this? Sadly enough, he has not been handling situations too well whether it is the deteriorating law and order situation in the State or keeping a check on illegal rat-hole mining activities. His performance too is something that needs to be questioned in all aspects. If such mishaps keep taking place time and again under the watchful eye of the present Home Minister, and if he is incapable of handling the given portfolio, then he should and must gracefully step down.
Yours etc.,
Cordelia Sawian
Shillong – 2
Shutters up amidst lockdown
Editor,
The rise of Covid cases in Meghalaya and in particular, in the East Khasi Hills district and the death rates within the past few weeks have led to people being fearful for their lives and understandably so. However, the government’s policy of trying to contain the spread of the virus by opening shops selling essentials to only three days a week have led to a mad frenzy of the public rushing to shops to stock up and in the bargain having to expose themselves for hours in long queues.
Is this exercise really going to contain the spread or will it lead to higher numbers contracting the disease? As one of the MLAs, PT Sawkmie rightly suggested, isn’t it practical to let all shops open daily for 2 to 3 hours so that all get some earnings and the public do not have to expose themselves whilst waiting queuing up for hours?
While one appreciates the Government’s efforts in curbing the virus, we hope that the suggestions of the public too are taken into consideration for in the end it’s standing and working together of all sections which will work in everyone’s favour.
Yours etc.,
Angela Lyngdoh,
Shillong -14
Caring for those that care for us
Editor,
Everyone knows that Covid19 is devastating our lives. Our health workers risk their health and that of their families to care for us and to heal us in order to avoid any tragic loss of life. During this pandemic everyone will admit that the heroes of this pandemic are not film stars, but health personnel be it doctors, nurses, paramedics, ambulance drivers and even hospital cleaners. They risk their health and that of their families for us to be safe. As such, our health workers should be treated with respect in all circumstances. They deserve gratitude, respect, appreciation and support for their selfless services. It is our duty as a society and hospital authorities to protect and provide them a safe working environment. Further, I call upon everyone at this point to display solidarity, humanity and kindness towards our health workers by behaving responsibly so that health workers are not over-burdened.
Yours etc.,
Iahmi Khyriem,
Jowai