JOWAI/LADRYMBAI: Hundreds of people joined a massive public rally today called by the Jaintia Coal Owners, Miners, Suppliers & Workers Association (JCOMSWA) to demand the immediate resumption of coal mining activities in East Jaintia Hills District.
The protest marked a critical turn as the association’s president, Marshall S.B. Biam, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 15 days, was rushed to the hospital due to his deteriorating health.
President Marshall S.B. Biam began his indefinite hunger strike on June 1, 2026, demanding that the government allow coal-mining activities to resume in the district. At approximately 6:40 p.m. this evening, he was admitted to Woodland Hospital in Jowai for medical treatment. Members of JCOMSWA and his family accompanied him to the hospital.
The association accepted his transfer to the medical facility and has made no allegations against anyone regarding his hospitalization.
Despite the president’s hospitalization, JCOMSWA has not ended the agitation. Instead, the association has sent Jesper Thoo, a JCOMSWA member from Rymbai Village, to continue the indefinite hunger strike in place of the president.
Earlier in the day, the public rally commenced at Ladrymbai Dongwah. District administration officials were present at the hunger strike site early in the morning before the commencement of the march.
Men, women, and youth participated in the peaceful march from Ladrymbai Dongwah to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District, voicing their demands for the reinstatement of coal mining.
Upon reaching the destination, members of the public sat on the road until they were permitted to enter the Deputy Commissioner’s premises.
Throughout the demonstration, district administration officials and police personnel maintained a heavy presence near the Deputy Commissioner’s office gate to ensure law and order.
In a bid to resolve the ongoing deadlock, representatives of the association are scheduled to meet with the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
