SHILLONG, AUG 21: The Movement for Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood – Meghalaya (MIPRLM) will be holding a ‘public rally of all stakeholders’ on August 29 to assess the magnitude of the economic problem they are facing after the ban on rat-hole coal mining by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) four months ago.
“We have decided to hold a public rally of all stakeholders in the state’s capital at Polo ground on August 29,” MIPRLIM vice chairman EK Sutnga told reporters after a meeting on Thursday.
Sutnga said the rally is also being organized to find out a solution to their problems. He said the rally decision was taken after chief minister Mukul Sangma suggested to the MIPRLM delegation who met him on August 18.
Sutnga said, “ Chief minister Mukul Sangma has also agreed to attend the rally to hear the grievances of the stakeholders.”
Meghalaya had to imposed a complete ban on coal mining in the entire state following the April 17 – NGT’s directive to the state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure that rat-hole mining/illegal
The order came following the All Dimasa Students’ Union had moved the tribunal on April 2, blaming that the illegal rat-hole mining in Jaintia Hills polluted the Kopili River turning its water acidic.
Stating that the ban has affected all stakeholders, directly or indirectly, involved in coal mining activities depriving them of their livelihood, Sutnga claimed, “As per the assessment made by the movement, around 1.50 lakh households (7-8 lakh population) across the state has been affected by the ban.”
Sutnga also felt that the state government should step in with relief measures in order to alleviate the present economic crises and suffering of the people that arose out of the rat-hole coal mining ban.- By Our Reporter
Since State Mining Policy have been lying disinterested For Decades, tis present Problem Was Bound To Happen. As Of Now There Is Pinching In The Self-centred Pockets Of Affluent Coal Barons. I Do Not Support Rat Hole Mining at All However Scientific Mning Is the Need Of D Hour with Sustainable Approach To Environment.