CSOs denounce quarrying curb notice
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, April 08 2022: Strongly denouncing the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi relating to extensive inspection of quarrying, sand/stone mining, stone-crushing in Kangpokpi district, civil bodies of the district under the aegis of Kuki Inpi submitted their objection to the DC on Thursday.

DC Kangpokpi Kengoo Zuringla issued a notice on April 5 stating that extensive inspection will be taken up in all areas falling under Kangpokpi district to verify quarrying licence or quarrying concession.

The notification cautioned that any defaulting individuals/firms/agencies operating unauthorized/illegal centres shall be liable for punishment under relevant sections of the Manipur Minor Mining Concession Rules, 2012.Subsequently, DC issued another notification on April 6 informing the District Task Force, Kangpokpi that a meeting will be held on April 7 at the conference hall of DC Kangpokpi office for periodical analysis of inspections taken up at quarries, sand/stone mining sites and stone-crushing units in the district.

Considering the notifications of DC Kangpokpi, the civil bodies of the district had an emergency meeting and discussed the matter wherein they unanimously decided to oppose the notifications.

In its objection letter, the civil bodies stated that all stakeholders should be consulted and confidence of the people must be accommodated before taking any decision and such developmental discourse should not be taken up in a hasty manner.

It also said that revenue department has no authority within all the hill districts of the state and the hill district of Kangpokpi, Sadar Hills has its own system of land holding.

It also said that any matter involving land and forest must always be duly handled by the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council after due consultation with concerned village chiefs and its (village chiefs) apex body Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association (SAHILCA).

The signatories of the objection letter are presidents of Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association (SAHILCA); Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi, Kuki Students' Organisation, Sadar Hills; Thadou Students' Association, Sadar Hills; Thadou Youth Association, Sadar Hills; Zillai and Kuki Women's Union, Sadar Hills.

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