22/06/2020
MAF warns of blockade, calls for fulfillment of demands
Jun 21: An executive meeting of the Mining Affected Association (MFA) Umrongso was held at Rongkangtui Youth Club on Sunday. The meeting was led by Mining Affected Association president Sarthe Engti and was assisted by general secretary Wonder Chinthong and attended by executive members.
While speaking to the media after the meeting, the association have expressed their grievances and pointed out that Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC) started the Garampani Coal Extraction Project (GCEP) in 1984 and since its inception, AMDC gave Approved Customer to the local people of Dima Hasao district, but unfortunate a single person was from affected area of Boro-Lokhind**g area given that opportunity although 60% royalty went to the State Government and 40% to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council (NCHAC).
According to the association, in 2018-19, the NCHAC received Rs. 6,56,46,098 (Six Crore Fifty Six Lakh, Forty Six thousand Ninety Eight rupees) as royalty. In total, the NCHAC received Rs. 21,69,71,353 (Rupees Twenty one Crore, Sixty-nine Lakh, Seventy-one Thousand, Three-hundred Fifty Three) between 2014-19 as 40% royalty.
The most shocking and tragic fact is that, NOT a SINGLE development work, or project was brought or implemented for the Originally affected people of the Borolokhind**g area depriving them of everything.
Following this, the association took drastic decision of calling for a complete economic blockade against the AMDC, GCEP coal mining project.
In addition to this, the association told media persons that it has come to their knowledge that, fresh tender for the project is going to be opened within this month, following this, the association has demanded overall development as well as allocate one Approved Customer from the affected area. A meeting on this matter was also held with the AMDC officials at Guwahati during which, the officials assured of considering their grievance as early as possible.
Meanwhile, the association has warned of re-launching a strong economic blockade and agitation programme against it if their demands are not completely resolved.
In addition to this, the association also warned AMDC of approaching the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the authority if their genuine demands are not met.
