Leader of opposition and former chief minister Dr Mukul Sangma today said the coal mine mishap in Shallang implies that the State government has adopted a modus operandi to facilitate illegal coal mining, which has cost the name and fame of the state.
“Today the state is being defamed because of this illegality. We are ashamed of it,” Dr Sangma said.
Asking the people to take cognizance of the intent of MDA coalition as illegal coal mining has return to haunt the state, he added, “People should utilize their power to change them.”
The former chief minister said illegal coal mining has been raised time and again with no steps taken to halt it even as the government continue to deny it.
“Have I not pointed finger at the government again and again? What has happened to those instances of such things that have been brought to the notice of the government, have they taken action?” he questioned.
One person died and another was injured after the coal mine they were working in collapsed in Urak village (Riangdim), a remote hamlet close to Goreng under Shallang police station in West Khasi Hills.
Meanwhile, speaking at the membership drive of the TMC in Pynthorumkhrah today Dr Sangma has said that the MDA government has deprived children of the state in multiple ways by being incompetent and insensitive.
“Children cannot pursue vocational education in the state, compelling parents to send their children away from Meghalaya. The medical colleges in Shillong and Tura are non-existent, thereby depriving innumerable children of our state who are seeking a degree in medicine.”
At the event, Samborlang Diengdoh, Convenor of the Pynthorumkhrah, who intends to contest from the constituency, said, “NPP has the money to promote itself outside Meghalaya, but it does not have enough to pay our teachers. Where is the revenue going? Why is the MDA government not paying our teachers? Why did they have to sleep on the streets to get their rightful salary?”
TMC State President, Charles Pyngrope, MLA George B Lyngdoh along with other prominent grassroots leaders were present at the event.
