Boko, Nov 4: Aggrieved at the continuing illegal sand mining that has continued to put their lives and livelihoods in peril, various organizations of both Assam and Meghalaya today held a meeting, followed by a rally to express their resentment at the government inaction over their complaints on Saturday.
The meeting was led by the Mothers’ Union of Assam and Meghalaya border and sought to put an end to the menace that has disoriented their lives, in a huge way. The meeting was held at the Nokmakundi village Playground (along the Assam-Meghalaya border) in Dudhnoi constituency of Goalpara district.
Leaders from Garo Students union (GSU) Assam State Zone, Garo Women Council (GWC), All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Garo Gaonburha Association and many other organizations from both Assam and Meghalaya states took part in the program.
GSU Assam State Zone President Folding R Marak said that if people of the area strongly protest against sand mining, then the government will be forced to stop. This kind of activity, he said, was also held in Boko River too. However, due to the people’s strong protest, the government stopped the mining from the Boko River at Kompaduli village area.
GWC President also urged everyone to stand united against sand mining whether it was legal or illegal.
Mothers’ Union president Sona Marak emphasized that the meeting has been organized in view of the joint public complaint regarding extraction of huge illegal sand mining at Nokmakundi and Kalikapara and nearby villages under 72 No. Damra Gaon Panchayat (G.P) of Dudhnoi Revenue circle.
“The first joint public complaint regarding extraction of huge illegal sand mining at Nokmakundi and Kalikapara on 14th March 2023 was informed to the authorities and also initiated action against the illegal miners. They had also seized their equipment used in sand mining from the mining site. However after a year, the same interested individuals were repeated on May 16, 2024. A joint public complaint was submitted by the Gaonburas of surrounding villages of illegal sand mining sites. After the inquiry the extraction was stopped for 3 (three) months while at Kalikapara, it was continued till date,” she said.
As per sources the villages affected are Nokmakundi, Kasumari, Wanglapara, Kalikapara, Damra, Damra Patpara, Tengasot, Bakrakhuti in Assam area. On the other hand, in Meghalaya part Nogolpara, Kentra, Nameram and Ansalipara.
When contacted on the matter, MLA Dudhnoi Constituency Jadob Swargiary also raised serious concerns over the mining and said that he wrote the matter to the Assam Forest Minister, Assam Chief Minister and also raised the questions about the mining in the Assam state assembly too.
GSU President Folding R Marak emphasized that in Boko river also mined sand gravel and due to that two people lost their lives. Now the same condition will happen here also due to the mining.
Mothers’ Union President Sona Marak said that they will jointly meet the Assam Chief Minister and concerned ministers to stop the mining. “If it does not work, we will continue to protest, road blocked and all to stop the sand mining.”
