MIPRL warns of economic stir against coal mining ban

Jowai, Septemmber 10, 2014: The Movement for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Livelihood (MIPRL) held a public meet at Phramer on Tuesday and resolved to go for economic strike if the State Government failed to respond to their demand before the end of the September 14 deadline set by the Chief Minister on September 3.

The public meeting on Tuesday chaired by MIPRL chairman, Heraldson Dkhar, was attended by around 2500 people, mostly coal miners, besides leaders from Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

Main speakers including legal adviser cum MIPRL vice chairman, Erwin K Syiem Sutnga and former MLA Sing Mulieh slammed the peoples’ representatives for failing to safeguard the indigenous tribal people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

“We provided them with all weapons to fight for the rights of the people in the State; however, they betrayed us. No one has ever spoken about the problems of the people be it the border issue, timber ban or coal mining ban. They just keep silent,” said Sparstarlin Nongrem from West Khasi Hills.

“We have decided to go for an economic strike if the Government fails to respond to our demand on or before September 14,” said Sutnga.

Source: The Shillong Times