SHILLONG | July 07, 2017: The Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Eastern circle, Williamnagar and central executive committee of Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Tura have shot off a complaint letter to the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma against the non-functioning of Songsak Block and Samanda Block (situated in East Garo Hill) from their respective office premises.

The organizations have also demanded early resumption of coal mining activities in Meghalaya in view of the hardship caused to a section of common people in the state because of ban imposed on coal mining in the state.

The leaders of the organizations asserted that the people of Songsak and Samanda were facing hardship as they were made to undertake ‘unnecessarily’ travel to Williamnagar, the headquarter of East Garo Hills District for official purposes.

They maintained that official works of the people could be easily done at the block offices at Songsak and Samanda but the two block offices had been functioning from Williamnagar Deputy Commissioner’s office for more than two years much to the difficulties of the people. The leaders have blamed the ‘irresponsible bureaucrats’ for causing trouble to the common people.

Referring to the ban on coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the organizations submitted before the CM that the ban had caused severe economic hardship as well as sense of insecurity among the people especially the daily-wage labourers, business community and unemployed youth.

They, therefore, have urged the CM to take firm initiatives to resume coal mining activities in the state as early as possible. The organisations have questioned the silence of the NGT on the issue of uranium mining in the state even as the Central government is trying its best to begin uranium mining in Meghalaya despite strong opposition from the people of the state.

(Source: http://www.theshillongtimes.com/)