Tura, Nov 20: Pressure groups from Chokpot region of South Garo Hills, which are opposing coal survey work in the Paromgre area over fears of long-term environmental damage from mining, have strongly rejected accusations levelled by the licensee of the coal block. The claims allege their involvement in an arson attack on the geological survey team’s camp this week.
Accused of involvement, the protest groups are demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident to clear the air.
“Reports accusing members of our organizations of involvement in destroying machinery and carrying out other unlawful activities at the Sinthang Coal Block are entirely false and fabricated. We condemn the spread of such misinformation, which appears to be a deliberate attempt to defame us and create a false narrative around our ongoing struggle against illegal mining activities,” said six leaders of the accused organizations in a joint statement.
The licensee of Sinthang Coal Block, which obtained government permission to drill in Paromgre to survey for scientific coal extraction, had named six leaders from the anti-mining groups as prime accused in the arson attack that reportedly took place on the night of November 15. Mechanical equipment and the camp site were set on fire leading to substantial damage to machines engaged in the drilling and survey.
The protest groups stated that the ongoing opposition to coal survey and potential mining is being carried out in a “democratic” and “non-violent” way which they describe as being, “through legal channels, documented complaints, public dialogue, peaceful gatherings, and representations submitted to the competent authorities.”
“Chokpot organizations have never engaged in violence or destruction, and such accusations seriously damage the reputation we have built over the years,” the protestors claimed.
“Certain individuals may have intentionally caused damage themselves in order to falsely implicate us and tarnish the good reputation of our organizations,” they stated while claiming that it was their protest groups who had “recommended” preventive measures be taken up in the coal block by the authorities.
“The Deputy Commissioner and police department should have immediately imposed Section 144 CrPC to restrict access to the site and prevent any untoward incident. Had these preventive actions been taken promptly, the situation could have been completely avoided,” mentioned the protest leaders while accusing authorities of lapses and negligence that brought the situation to its current status.
