Shillong, Jun 10: The State Co-Ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners, Exporters, Transporters & Dealers Forum has prepared a ‘Small Mining Underground Plan’ that will be submitted to the government, SCCCOMETDF president Sonny Khyriem said today.
Khyriem said the mining plan will be submitted along with a memorandum and a presentation. The plan will also stress the need to preserve the environment and ensure safety for miners in the field.
He also appealed to others in the mining sector to come together so that small-scale mining can be allowed at the earliest.
The forum includes coal miners and owners from East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills, South West Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills. The forum was formed in 2006.
After the ban on rat-hole mining in 2014, so-called scientific mining was permitted, subject to certain restrictions and prerequisites. Small landowners feel that some of these rules are too exclusionary and want them eased.
HUNGER STRIKE GAINS MOMENTUM
Meanwhile, support for the hunger strike by the Jaintia Coal Owners, Miners, Suppliers and Workers Association (JCOMSWA) president Marshall SB Biam swelled as several people from across East Jaintia Hills visited the protest site. Biam’s fast demanding permission for small-scale coal mining entered its 10th day today.
MDCs and Congress Party leaders from Jaintia Hills met Biam today. The Khasi Students’ Union also met him to extend support.
A doctor, meanwhile, visited the site to examine Biam but he refused to be checked.
