Khliehriat, June 11: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), East Jaintia Hills District, on Tuesday extended their support to Jaintia Coal Owners, Miners, Suppliers and Workers Association(JCOMSWA) President, Shri Marshall S.B. Biam, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 1, demanding the resumption of coal-mining activities in East Jaintia Hills.
The KSU delegation was led by District President Streamly N. Suchen and General Secretary Kwilnis Suchiang, along with other union members. During the visit, Suchiang led a special prayer for Biam, joined by supporters and well-wishers present at the protest site.
Speaking to reporters, Suchen said the KSU believes Biam is genuinely fighting for the reopening of coal mining, which has remained largely suspended since the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban in 2014. He stated that the ban has severely affected the livelihoods of thousands of families, particularly those dependent on the coal sector.
Suchen noted that Meghalaya is rich in natural resources and that the coal industry once played a significant role in strengthening the state’s economy. He expressed concern over the growing number of youths from East Jaintia Hills who have migrated outside the state in search of employment and often face exploitation.
Referring to the provisions of the Sixth Schedule, Suchen said indigenous people have rights over their land and resources, and urged the government to find a lasting solution to the long-pending coal-mining issue. He also recalled that previous agitations on the matter had resulted in the loss of two lives from Wapungskur village.
Stating that the mining ban has affected not only East Jaintia Hills but several other districts of Meghalaya, Suchen said multiple organizations are working towards the same objective of reviving coal mining. He affirmed that the KSU supports these efforts and will continue to participate in programmes aimed at securing the resumption of coal-mining activities in the state.
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