Shillong, June 8: The central bodies of the Jaiñtia Students’ Union (JSU) and Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) today extended their support to the ongoing hunger strike agitation led by Marshall Biam, President of the Jaiñtia Coal Owners, Miners and Supplier Association (JCOMSWA), demanding the reopening of coal mining activities in the Jaiñtia Hills region.
During a meeting held in support of the agitation, both the JSU and JNC urged the Government to invite Marshall Biam for discussions on the issue. The organisations asserted that the Government has repeatedly misled the people regarding matters related to coal mining and stressed the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholders.
The unions also recalled that in 2019, the Chief Minister had assured the people that if his party came to power, it would facilitate the resumption of coal mining activities in the Jaiñtia Hills region. However, they expressed disappointment over the lack of substantial progress on the issue despite the passage of several years.
Furthermore, the JSU reminded the Government of the strong public agitation that followed the imposition of the coal mining ban in 2014. The organisation noted that the movement had witnessed significant public participation and that two precious lives were lost during the course of the agitation.
Reiterating their solidarity with Marshall Biam, the JSU and JNC called upon the Government to take immediate steps towards resolving the long-pending issue and addressing the concerns of the people whose livelihoods depend on the coal mining sector.
