Shillong: Former Cabinet Minister and Kyrmen Shylla on Monday said any political party that commits to lifting the 12-year ban on rat-hole coal mining would receive strong public support in Jaintia Hills.
Speaking on the issue, the United Democratic Party (UDP) leader said the prolonged ban has caused hardship for many people in the region who depend on coal mining for their livelihood.
Shylla said the government had done its part by attempting to resume coal mining through scientific mining practices. However, he admitted that people later realised the present framework of scientific mining is not practical or economically feasible for many local miners.
The people have suffered for years because of the ban. Any party that can assure the lifting of the ban will definitely find support from the people of Jaintia Hills, he said.
Rat-hole coal mining was banned by the National Green Tribunal in 2014 over environmental and safety concerns. Since then, the issue has remained politically sensitive in Meghalaya, particularly in the coal-dependent Jaintia Hills region.
