Caves in Jaiñtia Hills, including the famous Krem Liat Prah, are in danger because of rampant illegal coal mining, social activist Agnes Kharshiing has said.
Krem Liat Prah is one of the longest natural caves in South Asia. In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaiñtia Hills, Kharshiing said that coal mining is carrying on regardless of the ban in place since 2014 with the authorities not doing enough to stop it.
“Earlier, many tourists used to come to see the caves but now tourists won’t dare anymore while the mafia is in control,” Kharshiing said.
The activist, who was once brutally attacked along with a colleague during a private investigation against illegal mining, wondered why cranes used in these activities, which are hard to hide, have not been seized and why 120-plus trucks daily are able to cross into Assam and Bangladesh carrying illegally mined coal on national highways. She also claimed to have been told that labourers are brought from outside the state and are controlled by ‘sordars’.
“In those areas where there is a dispute between Nongkhlieh and Sutnga, many coal mines are operating illegally and checking (by the authorities) is just in name. Some say this could be to [raise funds for the upcoming election]. If the authorities were serious this would not be allowed, they inform,” Kharshiing said, adding that all of the coal is freshly-mined.
