Tura, July 18: Coal miners from Garo hills today send out a loud and a
clear message to the government to revoke the ban on mining in
Meghalaya.
At least 4500 people gathered at Pathargittim in Nongalbibra in South
Garo Hills to register their protest against the ban imposed by the
National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its order on June 17.
The protest meeting and rally held under the aegis of State
Coordination Committee of Coal Mine Owners and Dealers Forum
(SCCCMODF) was also attended by Congress legislator from Rongara
constituency, Rophul S. Marak.
Marak is the first legislator in the ruling Congress led government,
who has announced to raise his voice against the ban at all platforms.
“We have to work together to find a solution to the problems. The
blame game is leading us nowhere. The government is one of the
respondents to the NGT and is seeking time to ensure that the mining
policy is worked out to meet the standards demanded”, said Marak
addressing the rally.
Highlighting the steps taken by the coal miners and dealers forum,
Ronny Kyrmen, president of SCCOMODF said, “In 1996, the Supreme Court
had put a blanket ban on the cutting of timber, which was not opposed.
This time it is coal. We cannot sit and wait for judgment to be
passed. We are going to oppose this tooth and nail”.
Kyrmen questioned as to why a motion to discuss the NGT ban was not
taken up in Meghalaya assembly, when Shillong MP Vincent Pala could
raise the issue in the Parliament.
Meghalaya speaker, Abu Taheer Mondal had said that the motion on NGT
would be sub-judice.
The next hearing of the NGT is due for August 1.
Speaking at the rally, coal miner, Georgemon S Marak said, “Where are
our legislators? In Khasi – Jaintia hills, all MLAs and member of
district council have united to raise their dissent against the ban.
Is it not the responsibility of our representatives to fight for the
rights of the people?”
Giving a blow by blow attack on legislators from Garo hills for their
failure to raise voice against the ban, Marak asked, “More than 7-8
lakh people are being affected by the ban, so where are they when the
people need them the most?”
Marak openly remarked that politicians seek their help only to win
elections. “It seems that the MLAs of Garo hills needs us is when they
have to win elections. That is the only time they are with us. Now
when we need them to help save the livelihoods of the people, they
have taken a back seat. Why should we vote for them in the future?
Even the chief executive member of the Garo hills district council,
who has been elected from here has not thought of helping us”, he
added.
Lambasting the legislators for their alleged anti-people attitude,
Marak said, “Politicians are interested in coal belt only to set up
toll gates to collect illegal taxes to fatten their pockets, not for
anything else. The district council is interested only to collect
revenue from the coal activities but they are not interest to
safeguard the rights of the people”.
Member of district council from Williamnagar constituency, Denang T.
Sangma admitted that there has been no discussion on the mining ban.
“I am from the opposition but I am going to fight for the revoke of
the ban, which has left lakhs of people without a job”.
Former member of district council, Mahamsingh Sangma remarked that the
ban imposed by the NGT looks like that government is working
modalities to invite corporate to extract coal. “I have been told by a
very reliable source that a big corporation from Hyderabad is being
invited to set up its unit in Meghalaya for the extraction of coal”.(SP News)
