SHILLONG, Aug 22: Stakeholders — being the Local Trucks Owners and Drivers Association of Meghalaya and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the stone quarry, stone crusher owners and employees’ association of East Khasi Hills — on Thursday called off their strike following effective redressal of their grievances through the state government.
President of the Local Trucks Owners and Drivers Association, Eugenstar Kurkalang, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for addressing the grievances of the public, stating, “We met the Chief Minister along with him… we discussed in detail the grievances faced by the public, especially the low-income groups who are earning their livelihoods through activities like border stone quarrying and sand collection.”
He said that chief minister responded to their request for necessary amendment and simplification of the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, to expedite the process of obtaining mining lease and quarry permits.
Furthermore, Kurkalang emphasised the need for specific amendments that would exempt traditional quarry workers from obtaining costly permits, particularly those “who don’t use any machinery like JCB or any other machinery,” as long as their activities do not harm the environment.
Kurkalang also requested the members of the truck association, that they could “continue their work as usual,” provided they adhere to environmental protections and do not obstruct roads or rivers.
The CM assured that, while the amendments are being processed, “we can continue our works without causing any hindrance or disruption to the environment.”
The government had recently put a ban on quarrying in many parts of East Khasi Hills following which the association went on a strike.
The association, however, also advocated for the exemption of local trucks transporting stone or sand for local consumption from the need for a transport challan within the state.
Meanwhile, the members of the JAC of the stone quarry, stone crusher owners and employees’ association of East Khasi Hills on Thursday said they decided to call off their indefinite strike from August 21 after getting a positive response from the government.
The JAC had decided to stop all mining activities in opposition to the provisions laid down in the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016.
The JAC general secretary, Devinson Pyngrope told reporters that they are still awaiting a written assurance from the government on its commitment conveyed verbally.
Appealing to the people supporting the JAC protest to be patient, he said they should not doubt the decision to call off the strike.
“I am confident that we will be able to resolve all our grievances within the next few days so that we can resume our mining activities,” Pyngrope said.
He declined to name the senior official the JAC members met. “But I can say he was deputed by the Chief Secretary to have a dialogue with us,” he said while asserting that they will specify the assurances given by the government once they receive them in black and white.
Earlier, Pyngrope said the members of the association are unhappy as the authorities accused them of operating illegally without licences or quarry permits.
“How can the authorities say our operation is illegal when the stone and sand quarries are ours?” he asked.
Making it clear that it is not opposing the government, the JAC said it only wants the government to be more flexible while implementing the rules. It also pointed out that construction activities in the state would be hit hard if the stone and sand quarry operators halted their operations.
JAC president P. Kharkongor said most of the stone quarries in East Khasi Hills are located near the water bodies and rivers. According to him, it is impossible to abide by the rules which state that quarries should be at least 100 metres away from water bodies.
“We do not have quarries that are far from the rivers,” he said.
The JAC also pointed out that the people who own small quarries cannot meet the norms which mandate the operation of stone quarries on at least 6 acres of land.
