Urgent Call for Justice: NGO Alliance Exposes Illegal Coal Transport in West Garo Hills, Seeks Justice Katakey’s Intervention
An alliance of pressure groups from Selsella in West Garo Hills has raised the alarm over rampant illegal coal mining and transportation in the area. Operating under the banner of the All Selsella NGOs’ Alliance, the coalition has formally appealed to Justice (retired) BP Katakey, who leads the one-man commission on coal transportation, requesting urgent intervention and investigation. The alliance claims illegal mining is widespread in Balal Adugre and Goeragre, with coal being secretly transported at night along the Selsella-Garobadha road.
The activities have allegedly violated environmental regulations, causing significant damage to the local ecosystem, infrastructure, and residents’ well-being. The coalition includes various organizations such as the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), and the Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), among others.
In their letter, the alliance highlighted concerns about ecological degradation, infrastructure damage, and risks to the safety of local inhabitants. They urged Justice Katakey to deploy police along the Selsella-Garobadha road to prevent further illegal coal transport. They called for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and demanded strict law enforcement to curb these activities. The urgency of protecting the environment and safeguarding the rights of the local community was emphasized.
In early January, the committee received several petitions alleging ongoing rat-hole mining in the South Garo Hills and West Garo Hills districts. Justice BP Katakey, closely monitoring coal-related activities in Meghalaya, has instructed relevant departments to investigate these claims and report their findings. The committee is considering conducting on-site inspections, potentially involving independent observers, to further assess the situation. The call for action underscores the pressing need for environmental preservation and community welfare in the face of illegal mining activities.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/ngo-alliance-flags-illegal-coal-transport-in-west-garo-hills-seeks-justice-katakeys-help-1565924
Category : North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-01-25 17:16:00
