Tura, February 10 : The District Level Task Force (DLTF) on Tuesday carried out a major demolition and seizure drive against illegal brick kilns and unlawful earth mining activities in the Gomaijhora area under Phulbari and Batabara, West Garo Hills.
Officials said the action followed multiple complaints about unauthorized brick earth extraction and operation of kilns without mandatory clearances. The units were found to be violating the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules (MMMCR), 2016 and were operating without Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board.
Authorities noted that show cause notices had been issued earlier, but the operators continued their activities, compelling the DLTF to take strict enforcement measures.
The task force—comprising representatives from the district administration, police, forest and water resources departments, the Pollution Control Board and two independent members—authorized demolition of the illegal structures and seizure of mined brick earth.
During the operation, two JCB machines and a dumper truck were used to dismantle the kilns and transport seized materials to the Range Office for safe custody.
DFO-cum-Member Secretary of DLTF, Rupanker K. Marak, confirmed that regular inspections will continue to curb illegal brick earth mining and prevent the setting up of unauthorized kilns. He appealed to citizens to report any such illegal activities to the concerned departments for prompt action.
