Shillong, Oct 7: As part of its Save Jaintia Mission, the Jaintia National Council (JNC) has demanded a new framework which would enable small-scale mining to operate in tandem with larger mining ventures, prioritizing environmental protection and scientific mining practices.
Additionally, the JNC is also demanding the restitution of ancestral lands in Blocks I and II, which were transferred to Karbi Anglong (Assam) in 1951.
Submitting a memorandum to Shillong MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon on Tuesday requesting his intervention on these issues, the JNC said, “The Save Jaintia Mission envisions a future where socio-economic progress, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship coexist in harmony. We humbly appeal to your kind office to prioritize the following initiatives: advocate for the return of ancestral lands in Blocks I and II or equitable compensation to restore justice and dignity (and) facilitate small-scale mining operations under stringent scientific and environmental safeguards to revitalise local livelihoods.”
It said that mining has been a cornerstone of the Jaintia Hills’ economy, providing livelihoods for thousands of local families. The blanket ban on mining, while aimed at environmental preservation, has led to widespread economic distress. However, the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Civil Appeal No. 10720 of 2018 affirmed the rights of Meghalaya’s tribal communities over their land and mineral resources, opening pathways for regulated and sustainable mining.
“There is now an urgent need to balance environmental safeguards with the economic rights of the region’s indigenous people by reviving mining activities under a new and inclusive framework,” the JNC said while asserting the need to develop a new SOP that explicitly allows small-scale mining to coexist with larger mining operations.
Demanding the retransferring of Block I and II to Meghalaya, the organization highlighted that Blocks I and II, historically belonged to the Jaintia people, particularly the Syiem Sutnga family. Historical documents, including a 1896 map certified by the British government, clearly delineate these areas as part of the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills District.
“We demand the return of Blocks I and II to the Jaintia Hills as per the historical boundaries recognised in the 1896 map. For lands that cannot be returned, we call for equitable financial compensation and developmental investments from the Assam and Union Governments,” it stated.
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