Khliehriat, Apr 7: Thousands of people who were dependent on coal mining and related activities for their livelihood attended a rally in Khliehriat today, which was organised by the Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers Association (JCMDA).
They demanded that the government lift the prohibition on coal mining that has been in place since 2014 when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the prevalent practice of rat-hole mining. Although so-called scientific mining is envisioned to restart Meghalaya’s coal mining industry, the requirements placed on coal mines are onerous enough to make it impossible for small landowners and miners to meet them.
Although rat-hole mining has been banned since 2014, the state government was accused by opposition parties, civil society groups and NGOs of repeatedly looking the other way when it came to illegal mining in the decade since. It was only after the deadly Thangsko coal mine incident, in which more than 30 lives were lost in an explosion at an illegal mine, did the state government crack down on rogue mining operations in East Jaintia Hills, of which Khliehriat is the district headquarters.
Today’s rally started in Dkhiah and proceeded to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Khliehriat where a petition was submitted to the DC. Before the rally, the JCMDA held a public meeting at Teilang Phawa Playground in Dkhiah.
The vice-president of the JCMDA, former MLA Justine Dkhar, said that the association has given three months to the government to take the necessary action otherwise the miners will take matters into their own hands.
Also present at the meeting were ex-Shillong MP Vincent Pala, whose family had extensive coal mining interests, and MDCs from East Jaintia Hills.
Members of the public who spoke said that the people expect the government to allow mining again and end the problems faced by those who depend on coal for a living.
The legal adviser of the JCMDA, Muktiar Kerlang Ksoo, said that the Mining and Geology Department has standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies but the requirement for miners to possess 100 hectares for scientific coal mining is too high and should be reduced to suit smaller landowners.
