SHILLONG: The Garo National Council (GNC) has opposed the move of the Congress-led Government to entrust MMDC with coal mining in the State.
In a statement on Tuesday, GNC said this move is aimed at taking away the rights of tribal people of the scheduled areas.
“The owners of coal mines extract the coal as per the allocation of A’king Nokma in consultation with clan members. The A’king belongs to the Nokma and the clan. Also, the Nokma and clan members are autonomous bodies, how MMDC can mine coal on behalf of miners,” the GNC asked.
The confidence of the three autonomous district councils of the State should be taken before entrusting the matter to MMDC, said Agustine Marak, MDC and vice president of GNC.
