CS to call for report on unauthorised mining in JH
SHILLONG/TURA: Large-scale illegal extraction of coal through rat-hole mining and felling of timber are taking place unhindered at the once lush green forests of the Rongrenggre reserve outside Williamnagar town.
This is despite media reports last month about illegal coal mining in areas falling under Elaka Nongkhlieh and Elaka Sutnga in East Jaintia Hills district.
Rat-hole mining was noticed in villages of Khaidong and Moolasngi under Nongkhlieh Elaka which is destroying plantation and forests. Following this, the government had ordered an inquiry but the report is yet to be made public. Chief secretary K.S Kropha has said he would ask for the report on the illegal mining.
However, as far as the fresh case in East Garo Hills is concerned, the district administration has failed to act against the indiscriminate destruction of natural resources. Criminal gangs are also taking advantage of the illegal money by collecting tax from trucks plying with the illegal coal and timber from the forests. The All A’chik Youth Federation (AAYF) in East Garo Hills has filed an FIR against the illegal collection, which is allegedly being done by gangs using the names of NGOs, including the AAYF.
The alleged involvement of police and the forest department personnel has not been ruled out as these coal and timber trucks have been passing through police outposts and forest check gates.
These trucks are able to pass through the Samanda-Jengjal Road, Songsak-Mendipathar Road and Rongjeng-Rongmil Road despite these places having police stations and forest check gates.
The illegal extraction of coal and felling of timber at the Rongrenggre reserve forest has been taking place for over a year now. It had been temporarily halted during the tenure of then deputy commissioner Cyril Diengdoh who issued orders and dispatched police teams with officials to close down all the mines.
