Tura, Nov 19: A brazen arson attack has taken place on a geological survey camp at the Sinthang Coal Block in Paromgre village, under Chokpot Civil Sub-Division of South Garo Hills district, leaving behind scorched machinery, equipment, and a staff rest camp in ruins.
The incident is reported to have taken place on the night of November 15, but information reached the licensee only the next morning. At the time of the incident the campsite was empty- the survey team workers having been withdrawn from the site weeks earlier, following protests against the proposed mining by pressure groups and a section of locals from the area. The attack has been described by the project’s licensee as a culmination of months-long intimidation tactics against workers, landowners, and the village Nokma who agreed to the survey.
The licensee, representing the Sinthang Coal Block operations, issued a strongly worded statement today condemning the destruction, which they say has caused “massive financial loss and disruption of operations.” In the statement, the company named seven local residents— Salman Ch. Sangma, Clevistone Ch. Marak, Jesse Ch. Marak, Jish A. Sangma, Billon A. Sangma, Somaja Ch. Sangma, and Roster C. Marak—as alleged perpetrators. They reportedly belong to the Chokpot region.
“This violent action is not only a criminal offence but a direct attack on development, scientific work, and the rights of legal landowners who wish to see progress in their region,” the statement read. The licensee pointed out that the survey team holds “all necessary permissions from the concerned Ministry and State Departments to conduct drilling and geological surveys,” yet has faced “unlawful interference” at every turn.
According to the statement issued by the licensee, the fire deliberately targeted the rest camp and essential machinery, forcing an immediate shutdown of the survey activities.
As per the statement, the arson attack marks the latest in a series of alleged aggressions, including: Repeated verbal threats to incinerate the camp and equipment, death threats directed at staff, Nokma, landowners and supportive villagers, unauthorized trespassing onto active work sites, harassment and obstruction of landowners who have legally sold portions of their property for the project, and forced halts to operations despite valid clearances.
Prior to the arson, the licensee had lodged written complaints with the South Garo Hills District Administration and local police, seeking protection amid “escalating threats.” “Unfortunately, those same threats have now materialised in the form of a destructive arson attack,” the statement lamented.
The Paromgre site is part of broader efforts to explore coal reserves in Meghalaya’s mineral-rich Garo Hills, a region long plagued by informal mining controversies, environmental concerns, and disputes over land rights. Supporters of the project, including affected landowners, view it as a pathway to economic upliftment through regulated, scientific extraction. But opponents of coal mining cite fears of ecological damage to the fragile environment including tourist spots- primarily the famous Wari Chora water body that happens to fall in Chokpot region, though some distance away.
