From Biplab Kr Dey
PAROMGRE (SGH), Nov 23: The entire state of Meghalaya has been shaken by ongoing protests in the villages of Paromgre, Chokpot, Silkigre and others over the state’s decision to grant a scientific mining licence to Georgeman S Marak in Paromgre, South Garo Hills.
Local residents, including civil society organisations (CSOs) of the Chokpot area, have strongly opposed the state’s decision and the alleged deal struck between the Nokma’s husband and the miners. They have vowed to ensure that scientific mining does not take place in the area, citing multiple concerns.
A visit to the village was undertaken to understand what was happening on the ground and why there was such strong public resistance to the mining proposal.
During the visit, various residents were interviewed to understand their grievances and why they refused to accept the state’s push for scientific coal mining.
The coal block was reportedly purchased in 2021 by Georgeman S Marak. However, villagers claimed they only became aware of the sale when mining-related activities began entering their village.
“This is the first time we have heard and seen about scientific mining. We do not know which Nokma sold the land or gave NOC for this scientific mining. We only came to know about it sometime around the month of June 2025, and when we came here to see for ourselves, we saw that they have brought the machines, a road has been made and vegetation around here has been damaged. If they further continue the mining on a large scale, all these trees and vegetation will be destroyed and water sources in catchment areas will dry up. Therefore, we oppose this mining activity and will strongly continue to oppose it because all the exotic animals and birds that we have here will be driven out by the sound of the drilling machines,” said a resident.
The sale of the land by Nokma Comet N Sangma has been opposed not only by villagers but also by members of her own family, who are now seeking the removal of the Nokma and her husband, who they claim was responsible for the sale.
“I am the eldest brother-in-law of the Nokma of this village but I have not been consulted in any way about this matter, nor was any of our kin consulted or talked to about this. We have discussed with our clan members and decided that we don’t want and will not allow this land handed down to us by our forefathers to be destroyed and made barren. The Nokma said that we cannot call him a land seller and threatened to expel us from the village. We don’t want such a kind of Nokma to be head of the village,” he said. The same sentiment was echoed by all who came forward. As Chras, they should have been informed and made signatories to the land sale, but they claimed they had no knowledge of it.
Villagers fear that introducing scientific mining would devastate the rivers, flora and fauna of the region. They also worry that tourism hotspots such as Dombe Wari and Wari Chora would be severely affected. Rivers like Rongdik and Kakija, which originate near the village, may also suffer.
The villagers have submitted objections to various authorities, including the DC, the SDO of Chokpot civil sub-division, the GHADC, the Forest and Wildlife Division, CSOs, and opposition leaders. However, they claim they have not received any support.
After CSOs raised complaints, an inspection of the site was conducted by the SDO, forest officials and CSOs. Chaos nearly broke out as residents raised slogans against the government’s decision to allow mining in their village.
For the villagers, their land is a legacy handed down by their forefathers, and they are determined to protect it for future generations.
“We didn’t even know that this land was already sold in 2021 for this so-called scientific mining and we came to know about this only when the road was constructed and the machines started arriving. We are not sure if this work is being undertaken for coal mining, but we came to know that a meeting was being called at Warima over this scientific mining and the entire village went to attend that meeting last month. Since then, we are opposing this unitedly,” said another resident.
Immediately after learning of the mining attempt, villagers reached out to CSOs, including the GSU, GSMC and FKJGP, who then took up the protest.
“We did not know what was happening and what kind of mining was taking place. We saw boxes of extracts being carried away, so we consulted with CSOs and even went to Nongalbibra-Jadigittim to get knowledge about mining. We were told that the kind of activity taking place in our area was different and if some kind of hazardous material is being extracted from our land, it may cause certain side effects in the area, including the water bodies in South Garo Hills, which are directly connected from the sources here. So we strongly oppose this scientific mining being undertaken in this area,” added another villager.
Following the complaints, CSOs visited the village and highlighted several concerns.
“We saw that they do not have proper documents and even the document they showed was the wrong one (of Dajugittim in Nongalbibra). We saw the locations where drilling has been done and saw that some coal has been extracted, but nothing else has been found. We will continue to fight and not allow coal mining in this region at any cost,” said GSU president, Jish Sangma.
The CSOs urged all individuals and parties attempting mining to immediately halt operations.
“We have come here in the presence of the Chokpot BDO, the police and other security forces and temporarily stopped the mining process. We will continue to investigate the matter and while the investigation is in process, we request any party or individual not to come and do any mining work in the area. If they continue the work, we will be forced to take action and may even destroy the machines installed here,” he warned.
Mining activities have been halted temporarily following CSO intervention, though they demand a complete ban on mining in the region.
“This is the lifeblood of residents of Chokpot and Baghmara. Even the River Rompa, which reaches Baghmara, has its source here. These activities will put at risk not only our water sources but even the ecological balance of the entire Nokrek Biosphere,” said the CSOs.
They also questioned how a pristine forest area located just outside the core zone of the Biosphere could be categorised as non-forest and non-arable land.
“It is really eye-opening that so much collusion has taken place between all the departments involved to forcefully allow scientific mining to take place in such a heavily forested area. Except for the seller and the buyer, everyone else was kept in the dark because they knew objections would begin immediately after attempts at mining were made. These departments really need to be taken to task for falsifying facts to suit someone and facilitate mining,” added Jish.
For now, residents of Chokpot, Paromgre and adjoining areas have united in opposing scientific mining out of fear that it will drastically affect their lives.
“We have met and gathered together as a community and decided not to allow any kind of mining work to be done here because we have well-known tourist spots nearby, including Wari Chora, Redingsi Wari, Imilchang Dare, etc. This area where they are trying to take up mining is on the highest point between these three spots, and if mining activity is started here, all the waters of these three tourist spots will dry up,” they said.
“We are resolute that we will not allow scientific mining in our area no matter the consequences. There are other areas in Garo Hills where mining has continued through generations. They should take this there and maybe strike gold. Why put our entire local community at risk just to make a few quick bucks? We will not just stand by and see this destruction unfold,” stressed the seven CSOs spearheading the protest.
