Tura, April 12: A Guwahati-based construction company, which has a lot of projects in Meghalaya, has been accused of being behind the illegal sand mining in Manda River near WageAsi in North Garo Hills.
The construction company in question is Midas Constructions, which, as per sources, was tasked with creating a PMGSY road in the area, and has been illegally extracting sand and sand gravel for a while now.
Conveniently, the company had set up camp on the NH-62 near 7th Mile before reportedly unleashing its arsenal of excavators into the Manda River from where it allegedly began destroying the riverbed in an apparent bid to save money.
As per forest officials, no permission was sought from any department by the company for extraction of sand or sand gravel from the sensitive riverbed. It had, very conveniently, contacted the Nokma of the area, who feigned ignorance when hauled up by the Forest department.
“When we spoke to the Nokma, he claimed that he was unaware that he was not allowed to provide permission for extraction from the riverbed. However, for the company itself, the matter becomes different altogether. As they are into government projects, they are well aware of the fact that clearances are required for such extraction,” informed a highly placed Forest department official.
A visit to the camp showed a huge amount of extracted sand gravel lying within the premises of the makeshift camp. Further, a visit to the site when the sand and sand gravel was being extracted showed huge mounds collected through the excavators.
However, when the Forest department officials visited the site, the excavators as well as dumpers, which were carrying the illegal material, had fled the spot.
Despite their efforts, the huge mounds of collected sand and gravel could not be removed.
“We have enumerated the mounds and have given ‘zimma’ of the materials to the Nokma itself. Our investigation into the matter is currently on and we will take up a case at a later time after the investigation is complete. We have warned them not to undergo such illegal acts in the future but legal action will also be taken,” informed North Garo Hills DFO Sathish KS.
A visit to the site of the excavation showed at least two places from where sand and sand gravel were illegally lifted.
At least 3-4 ponds, more than three-metre deep and 10-metre wide, have now formed on the riverbed. At least four dumpers carrying the ‘On PWD duty’ logo were seen on the road, bringing the illegal sand from the riverbed to be carried onto the site of the road construction.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that the company has been reportedly involved in trying to take such shortcuts, disregarding the laws or the environment.
The company was earlier caught near Rongsak under East Garo Hills where they extracted stones from the Simsang River to crush in their camp, despite not having quarrying permission.
