IT News
Imphal, July 31,
With the uproar of various sections of people who live on the mining of sand and stones from river bed, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today convened a meeting to discuss the issue on the Regulation of Illegal Mining Activities in the State.
As per a Facebook post by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh wrote – Chaired a meeting on “regulation of Illegal Mining Activities in the state “ today, attended by Ministers and MLAs, concerned officials of Forest and Environment , Commerce & Industries, Pollution Control Board and all DCs and SPs”.
The Chief Minister further wrote – “Resolved to facilitate mining licenses to deserving individuals and groups at specific areas through concern DCs and Officials of the Government and allow authorized mining activities to proceed. Also resolved to bring an awareness campaign to the public on prevailing regulations of mining activities in the state.”
The meeting was convened today in the backdrop of the various agitations by labourers and truckers bodies who live on sand mining works. An organization called All Manipur Excavator, Local truck, Tipper Owners and Workers’ Association had called 14 hour bandh across the state on August 1 .
Whether today’s meeting had intimated the association to call off the bandh is yet to be confirmed, however, source said that the truckers and machinery’s body still have not released any statement regarding the meeting convened today neither the body had had stated any U turn to their demand.
Meanwhile, large number of labourers under aegis of the Apunba Sinmi Lup , Awang Sekmai and Kanglatombi today came towards the Manipur High Court to stage protest, however they were stopped at koirengei area a police team.
Earlier, a protest rally was staged at Bishnupur district by labourers of sand mining of Thongjaorok area. Truckers also joined the rally staged by the labourers of Thongjaorok.
A labourer while speaking to media persons said that banning of mining is like putting them to the pol of death.
“If we are left to starve as we have no work it is better that we were killed”, an angry protestor said . She said that they will now go to the court the tell the judge to kill them all as they will face natural death.
On the other hand, a protestor said that banning of sand mining is nothing but blocking of development. He said without sand and stone how could development be brought. He further said that before the mining of sand and stone are stopped it is better the government department like Public Works department should be abolished as without sand and stone no constructions can be taken place.
