Khliehriat, Jun 12: The East Jaintia Hills unit of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) today expressed its anger at the state government’s handling of the coal issue.
The government, according to the party, has simply shifted all the hardships and burdens onto the people regarding the coal mining sector.
The VPP president from the Jaintia region, Damewanhi Rymbai, threatened to organise a public protest and also stop all cement factories operating in East Jaintia Hills if the government fails to listen to the people’s demand to loosen restrictions on coal mining. Whether the state government has the power to ease restrictions on its own when the central government, National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court are all involved as well, is another matter entirely.
Rymbai stated that, for now, they are waiting and observing the deadline that has been set by the Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers Association (JCMDA).
He said that once this period expires, the VPP will come forward and launch an agitation to demonstrate to the government the difficulties being faced by the people due to the continued ban on coal mining.
