Photo Courtesy: nenow
Shillong: Coal miners in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills are continuing their hunger strike after rejecting a government proposal to create a new small-scale mining policy. The protest stems from a long-standing dispute over land lease regulations that miners argue prevent local residents from participating in the industry.
During a recent meeting between the state government and the Jaintia Coal Owners, Miners, Suppliers and Workers Association (JCOMSWA), officials proposed forming a committee led by the Chief Secretary to review mining norms. Association representatives dismissed the offer, noting that it lacked a clear timeline for the resumption of mining activities in the region. Wansha Nongtdu, a resident of East Jaintia Hills who participated in the meeting, said, "The government has asked us to nominate members to this committee, but there is no commitment on when mining will actually resume."
The central point of contention is a regulation requiring a minimum of 100 hectares for a mining lease. Miners contend that most landowners in the Jaintia Hills cannot meet this requirement and have instead requested a system similar to limestone extraction, which allows for smaller plots. This shift would permit local operators to resume work under less restrictive conditions.
Mining in the region has remained largely stalled since the National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in 2014, leading to significant economic hardship for local families. While the government suggested that displaced workers seek support through the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund, the protesters maintain that financial aid is not a viable alternative to restoring their livelihoods.
The association plans to continue its strike while awaiting a visit from a High Court-appointed committee on June 29. They believe a practical framework for small-scale mining is necessary for the long-term economic recovery of areas like Wapung.
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