SHILLONG: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, has appealed to Marshall S.B. Biam, the President of the Jaintia Coal Owners, Miners, Suppliers and Workers Association (JCOMSWA), to call off his indefinite hunger strike and instead meet with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to seek a detailed clarification on the ongoing coal mining issue.
Speaking to media persons, Prestone Tynsong disclosed that the state government, through the Chief Minister, has requested all stakeholders involved in the coal trade to wait for approximately three months. During this period, the state government intends to take up the matter directly with the Government of India, with the specific objective of easing and relaxing certain legal clauses and regulations that are currently creating hurdles for local coal miners.
The Deputy Chief Minister urged that instead of continuing the hunger strike, it would be far more productive to come forward and engage in discussions with the government. He emphasized that a hunger strike alone cannot instantly resolve all complications, and clarified that the government is actively exploring every possible avenue to remove the hurdles that have severely impacted the livelihood and economy of the state’s citizens.
The development comes as the indefinite hunger strike led by Marshall S.B. Biam in Khliehriat reached its 16th day today, having commenced on June 1 near the Kiang Nangbah monument. The protest is centred on the demand to streamline and rectify the coal mining system in East Jaintia Hills District, a region that has faced severe economic distress ever since stringent restrictions were imposed on coal mining activities.
Amidst these developments, hundreds of citizens—including men, women, and youth—joined a massive public meeting and peaceful rally today called by JCOMSWA to pressure the government into allowing the resumption of coal mining in East Jaintia Hills District.
The protest march commenced from Ladrymbai Dongwah and proceeded to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District. District administration officials and police personnel were deployed early at the hunger strike site where the president was stationed to monitor the situation and maintain law and order.
Upon arriving at the destination, the protesting public sat along the roadside until they were granted permission to enter the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises. Meanwhile, administration officials and security forces maintained a strict vigil at the gates of the DC office to prevent any untoward incidents or disruption to peace.
