The East Khasi Hills District Magistrate has promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting illegal quarrying in all areas within the district where such unabated activities are taking place by any individual or party who has not obtained Quarry Permit and Other Clearance Certificates from the Competent Authority(s).
The order is necessitated in view of the notice received from the Divisional Forest Officer, East Khasi Hills & Ri Bhoi (T) Division, Shillong that illegal stone quarrying and sand mining are taking place at Umtyngar, Swer areas and all along the way to Sohra.
“Such indiscriminate quarrying along Umtyngar, Swer areas and along the way to Sohra may lead to landslips along the slopes and will further loosen the soil, thereby posing a risk of further collapse, thus endangering commuters,” the order said.
Further, it is also learnt that such indiscriminate illegal quarrying is also taking place in other areas of the district including along the National Highway/State roads/other areas and these activities are in flagrant violation of the provision of the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2015 (as amended).
Violators will be prosecuted under Section 188 CrPC, the order said.
