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Charged by the Opposition of failing of control unregulated coal mining, Meghalaya Mining Minister Mr B M Lanong today maintained the government do not intend to disturb the ‘customary rights' of the people but said the new mining policy would try to strike a balance.
“Centre has also said it does not wish to disturb the customary rights of the tribal people who have been practising traditional mining since decades. The state government also does not wish to interfere,” Mr Lanong told the assembly.
He said the issue was sensitive and the government needs to ‘tread cautiously'. “The mining policy which is in the making will try to strike a balance,” he said.
Opposition leader Mr Conrad Sangma claimed the state was headed for a disaster if the mining activities were not regulated.
He pointed to the traditional mining being done by locals in the Siju area of Garo hills where the mines are located near some historic caves.
“We cannot keep ignoring this issue. Environmentally it is a sensitive issue. The Siju caves are under threat because of the mining,” Mr Sangma said.
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