From Our Correspondent
Nokmakundi, Nov 2: Residents of both Meghalaya and Assam during a meeting followed by a rally on Saturday expressed resentment over the non-stop illegal sand mining along the border areas of both states.
The gathering at Nokmakundi village Playground led by the Mothers’ Union of Assam and Meghalaya border sought to eliminate the menace that has disoriented their lives, in a huge way through sand mining.
The aggrieved residents pointed out that the continuing illegal sand mining has put their lives and livelihoods in peril.
Various organisations from both states including leaders from the Garo Students Union, Assam State Zone, Garo Women Council, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Garo Gaonburha Association, and other organisations also joined in the porgramme.
ABSU advisor Dhiraj Hazowary stated, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. He urged all tribal communities of the area to stand against the illegal mining from the Dudhnoi (Manda) River and the long-term effects of what is fast turning into a flashpoint of conflict.
“In the coming days, there won’t be any sand left. This empty river will affect aquatic life, paddy fields, river erosion, and many other issues. Hundreds of overloaded trucks without challan are illegally plying towards Guwahati every day and the roads that are allowing this are being damaged day by day,” he pointed out.
“Instead of stopping illegal sand mining and transportation, the forest department is busy collecting money from trucks to satisfy the upper echelons including the chief minister. The forest department has established forest offices in Rangjuli, Dudhnoi, and Dhupdhara along the roadside but this has not stopped. What does this show about what is happening,” he asked.
GSU Assam State Zone President Folding R Marak said that if the people strongly protest against sand mining, the government will be forced to stop. This kind of activity, he said, was held in Boko River too. However, due to the people’s strong protest, the government stopped the mining from the Boko River in the Kompaduli village area.
GWC president also urged everyone to stand united against sand mining whether it was legal or illegal.
“Nokmakundi and nearby villages face erosion, lack of water for cultivation even in the rainy seasons when the river is in spate,” the GWC president said.
Mothers’ Union president Sona Marak emphasized that the meeting has
been organised in view of the joint public complaint regarding the extraction of huge illegal sand mining at Nokmakundi and Kalikapara and nearby villages under 72 No. Damra Gaon Panchayat (GP) of Dudhnoi Revenue Circle.
“The first joint public complaint regarding extraction of huge illegal sand mining at Nokmakundi and Kalikapara on March 14, 2023, was informed to the authorities and action was initiated against the illegal miners. They had also seized their equipment used in sand mining. However, after a year, on May 16, 2024, the activity was repeated by the same individuals. A joint public complaint was submitted by the gaonburas of surrounding villages about the illegal sand mining sites. After the inquiry the extraction was stopped for three months while at Kalikapara, the activity is still going on, she said.
“Illegal sand mining resumed at Nokmakundi in October 2024. And the extraction of illegal sand mining at Dudhnoi (Manda) river is severely affecting the natural environment, disturbing ecological balance causing soil erosion, water pollution, and sound pollution,” added Sona Marak.
According to sources, the villages affected are Nokmakundi, Kasumari, Wanglapara, Kalikapara, Damra, Damra Patpara, Tengasot, Bakrakhuti in the Assam area, and Nogolpara, Kentra, Nameram, and Ansalipara in Meghalaya.
When contacted on the matter, Dudhnoi MLA Jadob Swargiary also raised serious concerns over the mining and said that he wrote the matter to the Assam Forest Minister, and Assam Chief Minister and also raised questions about the mining in the Assam state assembly.
“To date, no reply has been given by the authorities. Even those involved in the mining don’t obey the rules and regulations. Therefore, the whole area is affected by erosion and many other problems, “he said
GSU President Folding R Marak reminded that two people lost their lives due to sand gravel in Boko River. The same condition will happen again anywhere due to the mining, he added.
Mothers’ Union President Sona Marak said they would jointly meet the Assam Chief Minister and concerned ministers to stop the mining. “If it does not work, we will continue to protest, organize road blockade to stop sand mining.”