East Jaintia Hills Rally Demands Regulated Coal Mining Return

Overview

• Thousands marched to the Khliehriat Deputy Commissioner’s office as shops shut along the route to back the call to restart mining under rules.
• Rally leaders filed a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner that gives the state three months to act or face stronger protests.
• Speakers sought small “pocket” or tunnel mining and rejected a 100‑hectare open‑cast plan as unworkable for small landowners.
• Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla urged clear operating rules, cited thin coal seams and high costs, and backed safer tunnel methods with water treatment.
• The push follows a 2014 ban that locals say cut off coal income, drove illegal work, and drained revenue for tribal councils under the Sixth Schedule and India’s MMDR mining law.