NONGSTOIN:
To curb illegal sand mining in the West Khasi Hills, Section 144 CrPC has been clamped in the district, on March 8.
P D Sangma, the in-charge district magistrate, imposed it prohibiting any person, organisation, clan or group of people from engaging in sand mining activities, in and around Diengsyiang and Dingling river islands.
Any violation of the order shall be prosecuted under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and under specific provisions of the Relevant Rules/Acts/Orders, such as the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
This order will come into force with immediate effect until further orders.
The move comes in the wake of rising concerns by people of the district on illegal sand mining activities on either side of the rivers upstream, and how it is one of the causes of environmental degradation and a threat to the biodiversity of the region.