Overview
- Miners from Jaintia Hills refused the state’s offered Small Scale Mining Policy and said they will keep fasting until the 100-hectare Scientific Mining lease requirement is reduced.
- The hunger strike, led by JCOMSWA, has lasted multiple weeks and its leader required hospital treatment after prolonged fasting.
- State officials proposed a Chief Secretary-led committee and pointed people to the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund for relief, but miners called those steps inadequate and a stalling tactic.
- Miners want a system like the limestone model that treats small plots as minor mineral leases so fragmented landowners can mine without meeting the 100-hectare major-mineral rules.
- No final agreement will be accepted by miners before a High Court-appointed committee visits Jaintia Hills and reports back, making that visit the next formal milestone in the dispute.