Illegal sand mining and encroachment along the Umiam River in Amphreng village, Ri Bhoi district has left residents worried.
The illegal act was reportedly carried out by individuals from the Karbi community in Assam, according to the Khasi Students Union (KSU), Umden circle after a spot inspection.
The KSU said that besides rampant illegal mining of sand from the river, it is an attempt to encroach upon Meghalaya’s land.
Excavators and other machineries have been used to illegal extract sand from the Umiam river, thereby having a hazardous impact on ecological equilibrium and changes in channel configuration and flow-paths.
Meanwhile, the KSU North Khasi Hills district and members of the circle submitted a formal complaint to the Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner seeking immediate action to halt illegal mining of sand.
