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Illegal stone quarries mushroom again in Garo Hills

By Correspondent

TURA, April 1 - Illegal stone quarries, which were banned by Meghalaya Government, have mushroomed once again in West Garo Hills district. The illegal stone quarries, which are operated by Assam residents for illegal transport of stone chips � most of which goes to Bangladesh.

According to a complaint made by Stone Quarry and Crusher Unit Association, illegal quarries are operating across the plain belt of West Garo Hills district. Most of the chips go to Mankachar in Assam before ending up in Bangladesh. Approximately 100 such quarries have begun operation after five companies were given permission by the State Government after they obtained clearances and NOCs.

�There are many of them transporting stone chips using the same Transit Permit (valid for two days) and make multiple trips in a day. Most don�t even have challans and there are no checks on the road,� alleged a member of the Association.

Stone quarries are located between the villages of Garobadha up to Hallidayganj through Tangaon and Pipulbari.

�Mankachar does not have any stone quarry or crusher but the town is exporting stones. This proves the amount of illegal activities flourishing there,� said the Association. The smugglers allegedly have been using small pick-up trucks to move the stones to avoid detection by police.

The Association has demanded a clampdown on the illegal transport of stones.

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