Shillong, Oct 24: A coalition of six local organisations from Chokpot has strongly condemned ongoing illegal limestone mining activities at Asakgre Emandura Banda village in South Garo Hills, Meghalaya, calling for an immediate halt to the operations and legal action against those responsible.
The organisations — Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Chokpot Area Vigilance Committee (CAVC), A·chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO), A·chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), and Garo Land State Movement Committee (GSMC) — issued a joint statement on Thursday after conducting a site inspection on October 23.
“This issue has come to light soon after the controversy surrounding illegal coal mining at Pharomgre, which had already alarmed the public and raised serious environmental and legal concerns. Despite repeated outcries and awareness efforts by local NGOs and residents, it is regrettable that such unlawful extractive activities continue to surface within the jurisdiction of Chokpot,” stated a press relese from six organisation of Chokpot.
It further added, “Earlier this week, we received verbal complaints from the villagers of Asakgre informing us about limestone extraction activities being carried out without any proper documentation, permission, or consultation with the local authorities. Acting upon the complaint, a team comprising representatives from the aforementioned NGOs visited the site on October 23, 2025 to verify the information and assess the situation on the ground.Upon arrival, we met the A·khing Nokma of Asakgre Emandurabanda, who clarified that he had granted an NOC only for survey purposes not for drilling, excavation, or mining of any kind. However, to our shock and dismay, the site inspection revealed that drilling and extraction of limestone were already being carried out,”.
“We further interacted with the workers present at the site and requested to see their official documents, permits, and NOCs, but they could not produce any valid papers authorizing their activity.The workers claimed that the operation was being conducted under the Central Government, but such a claim does not exempt them from following the law. It must be clearly stated that Chokpot and the surrounding areas fall under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, and therefore, any mining or extraction activity whether public or private must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), along with the necessary permissions from the Civil Sub-Divisional Officer and the Deputy Commissioner of South Garo Hills district,” it added.
It further stated, “In this case, there were no permissions from the GHADC, the Civil SDO, or the DC, which clearly establishes that the activity is unauthorized and illegal. Such mining operations not only violate legal provisions but also cause irreversible damage to the environment, threaten local biodiversity, and endanger the livelihoods of indigenous villagers who depend on the forest and land for sustenance,” they said.
“We, the conglomeration of NGOs from Chokpot, strongly and unequivocally condemn this illegal limestone mining and urge the concerned authorities including the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, the District Administration, the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board, the State Mining and Geology Department, and the Forest and Environment Department to immediately halt all illegal operations, investigate those responsible, and take strict legal action against the perpetrators involved in this act,” it added.
According to organisation, Chokpot is known for its rich natural beauty, pristine landscapes, and emerging eco-tourism potential. The area has several unexplored tourist attractions that can bring sustainable development and livelihood opportunities to the local population if properly protected. It is therefore disheartening and unjust that, instead of promoting tourism and environmental preservation, our region is repeatedly targeted for illegal mining and resource exploitation.
“We also appeal to the Chief Minister, the Forest and Environment Minister, and the Mining and Geology Department of Meghalaya to intervene at the earliest, ensure that the rights of the local indigenous people are respected, and safeguard the environment for future generations. We stand united in our cause and reaffirm our commitment to protect our land, water, and environment from any form of illegal exploitation. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to take further democratic and lawful steps if immediate action is not taken,” the organisation said.
