By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 3: The Wahkaliar Unit of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has urged the Sohra civil administration to intervene in alleged stone quarrying activities and address public safety concerns along river stretches in the area.
In a memorandum submitted to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Sohra Civil Sub-Division, the KSU raised objections to stone extraction at Lum Mawkyndup under Hima Sohra, alleging that quarrying from riverbeds is being carried out beyond permissible limits, posing environmental and safety risks.
The student body said continued extraction has weakened riverbanks and altered water flow, increasing the risk of erosion and flooding during the monsoon. It warned that villages including Wahkaliar, Lummawshken, Mawsahew and Mawkawir could be affected if the activity continues unchecked.
The memorandum also highlighted safety concerns along the Umtynghiang River on the Sohra–Laitduh stretch, where people regularly gather for swimming and picnics without adequate safety measures or monitoring.
The KSU urged the administration to conduct inspections, regulate quarrying activities in accordance with the law, and put in place safety measures along vulnerable river stretches.
The memorandum was signed by CarmeI Fedrick Malngiang, president, and Lamjinghsai Dkhar, general secretary of the KSU Wahkaliar Unit, and a copy was forwarded to the secretary of Hima Sohra.
