SHILLONG: Amid the indefinite hunger strike led by Jaintia Coal Owners, Miners, Suppliers and Workers Association (JCOMSWA) president Marshall S.B. Biam, who was rushed to Woodland Hospital in Jowai on Tuesday evening after his health deteriorated on the 16th day of the protest, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong appealed to the agitating leader to call off the hunger strike and engage with the government, while stressing that the State requires three months to pursue discussions with the Centre on relaxing legal and regulatory provisions affecting coal mining activities.
The appeal came amid a massive public mobilisation in East Jaintia Hills, where hundreds of residents joined a rally demanding the resumption of coal mining operations, reflecting growing concerns over the prolonged economic impact of restrictions on the sector.
Speaking to mediapersons, Tynsong said, “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.”
Urging Biam to end his protest and seek clarification directly from the government, he said, “Instead of continuing the hunger strike, it would be far more productive to come forward and engage in discussions with the government.”
Emphasising the complexities surrounding the issue, Tynsong added, “A hunger strike alone cannot instantly resolve all complications.”
He further stated, “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 hunger strike, which began on June 1 near the Kiang Nangbah monument in Khliehriat, is centred on demands to streamline and rectify the coal mining system in East Jaintia Hills, a district that has witnessed severe economic distress following stringent restrictions on mining activities.
Amid the continuing agitation, hundreds of men, women and youth participated in a public meeting and peaceful rally organised by JCOMSWA on Tuesday. The march commenced from Ladrymbai Dongwah and proceeded to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, with demonstrators pressing for measures to facilitate the resumption of coal mining activities in the district.
District administration officials and police personnel were deployed at the hunger strike site and along the rally route to monitor the situation and maintain law and order. Upon reaching the Deputy Commissioner’s office, protesters sat along the roadside until permission was granted for them to enter the premises.
Security personnel maintained a strict vigil at the gates of the Deputy Commissioner’s office throughout the demonstration to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure the protest remained peaceful.
Following a meeting between representatives of JCOMSWA and officials of the East Jaintia Hills district administration, the demonstration was called off, and the protesters dispersed peacefully after being assured that their concerns would be taken up at a meeting with the Chief Secretary, paving the way for further dialogue on the coal mining issue.
