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Rights body backs order on illegal coal mining

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 19 � The Centre for Human Rights and Society has extended its support and cooperation to the order passed by the National Green Tribunal for closure and banning of illegal coal mining and transporting that has been widespread in India.

A special bench of the tribunal had on April 19 passed an order directing the Meghalaya Government to stop illegal coal mining, mentioning the names as rat-hole mining, illegal mining and illegal digging and transporting to describe the illegal practice.

Following the tribunal order, the Meghalaya Government's Coal and Mining Division also passed an order (MG/25/2014/PT-1/185) on May 1.

�We plan not just to fight for the tribunal's order to save this natural resource and the environment but will also elevate this fight to the highest legal level. This is because we understand the importance of saving this resource and also the lives involved with it. We also warn the illegal coal miners and transporters to stop their work immediately. We will take up the matter with the President of India, the Supreme Court, the Union Ministry of Coal and Mining, and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests,� the NGO said in a statement.

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