Shillong, Jun 22: Jaiñtia Coal Owners, Miners, Suppliers and Workers Association (JCOMSWA) president Marshall SB Biam ended his 16-day hunger strike today but warned that agitation for the resumption of coal mining will intensify if the coal lobby’s demands are not met.
Speaking at Ladrymbai Dongwah, Biam said, “I could not be bought by anyone except to once again allow coal mining.” He rejected the government’s offer for talks at the Chief Minister’s residence, saying it would “only end in tea,” and insisted discussions be held at the Secretariat.
Biam thanked supporters who backed him during the strike until he was shifted to hospital “unharmed.” He said JCOMSWA “will not succumb” and warned of a stronger agitation ahead.
He lauded members who marched to the Secretariat and said the group’s pressure had forced the government to announce a scheme for those affected by the coal mining ban since 2014. He appealed to affected families to approach the district administration together to seek the documents.
Targeting the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, Biam said that the JHADC has failed to frame any laws on coal mining despite being “empowered as guardian of land under the Constitution.”
“If the district council does not act, we will march to the council to demand the stepping down of all 29 MDCs because there is no need for them to only draw a salary,” he said.
Biam also rejected talks arranged by the government through a retired Chief Justice, saying the public does not support the arrangement.
He warned all political parties not to use the coal mining issue for election campaigns. Sending a message to MLAs from East Jaiñtia Hills, he said failure to allow coal mining would “put them in hardships in the 2028 election.”
Rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya was banned in 2014 following National Green Tribunal orders over safety and environmental concerns. So-called scientific mining is meant to restart the industry legally but a large landholding prerequisite has proven too big an obstacle for most coal mine owners.
