Nokmakundi, Nov 2: Organisations from Assam and Meghalaya united to protest ongoing illegal sand mining along the Assam-Meghalaya border, particularly from the Dudhnoi (Manda) River. Spearheaded by the Mothers’ Union of the Assam-Meghalaya border, the groups held a meeting at Nokmakundi village playground, followed by a rally to press the government into action.
The protest saw participation from various organizations, including the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Assam State Zone, Garo Women Council (GWC), All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), and the Garo Gaonburha Association. They voiced concerns over environmental degradation, erosion, and loss of livelihoods, accusing authorities of failing to address repeated complaints.
ABSU advisor Dhiraj Hazowary urged local communities to resist the mining, warning, “United we stand, divided we fall.” He highlighted the extensive damage caused by the unchecked extraction: “In the coming days, there won’t be sand for any of us to use. This empty river will affect aquatic life, paddy fields, river erosion, and many other issues.” Hazowary also criticized the forest department, claiming it profits from the illegal transportation of sand. “Hundreds of overloaded trucks without challans are illegally plying towards Guwahati every day, damaging the roads,” he said, adding that officials collect payments from each truck rather than curbing the illicit activity.
GSU Assam State Zone President Folding R Marak pointed to successful community resistance in the Boko River area, which forced authorities to halt sand mining there. “If people strongly protest against sand mining, the government will be forced to stop,” he asserted, urging similar action for the Dudhnoi River.
Mothers’ Union President Sona Marak stressed the toll that sand mining has taken on local communities, noting issues such as erosion and water scarcity. “Nokmakundi and nearby villages face erosion and lack of water for cultivation, even during the rainy season,” she said.
Marak recounted how residents submitted a joint complaint in March 2023, prompting temporary action, but mining resumed in May 2024, despite continued appeals. “Finally, illegal sand mining has repeated at Nokmakundi since the first week of October 2024,” she stated, warning of its severe environmental impacts, including soil erosion, water pollution, and noise pollution.
Affected villages on the Assam side include Nokmakundi, Kasumari, Wanglapara, Kalikapara, Damra, Damra Patpara, Tengasot, and Bakrakhuti. In Meghalaya, the affected areas are Nogolpara, Kentra, Nameram, and Ansalipara.
Local MLA Jadob Swargiary, representing the Dudhnoi Constituency, shared the communities’ concerns and revealed he had raised the issue with Assam’s Forest Minister and Chief Minister, as well as in the Assam State Assembly. “Till date, no reply has been given by the authorities. Those involved in mining don’t obey the rules and regulations, and the entire area is affected by erosion and other problems,” Swargiary said.
Echoing the concerns, Marak of GSU warned that the unchecked mining could lead to fatal consequences, as witnessed in the Boko River area, where two lives were lost due to mining activities. The GWC President called for unity, stating, “We must stand united against sand mining, whether it is legal or illegal.”
The Mothers’ Union announced plans to directly engage with Assam’s Chief Minister and other key ministers, with Marak adding, “If this doesn’t work, we will continue to protest, block roads, and do whatever it takes to stop the sand mining.”
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