JOWAI:
West Jaintia Hills police seized an earth-mover (heavy machinery or JCB) and trucks involved in illegal stone mining at Wah Myntdu in the late-night hours in West Jaintia Hills district on July 18 evening.
The police acted on information received late on Tuesday evening, that illegal stone mining was taking place at Wah Myntdu, at Treiongriang, Jowai despite the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Upon receiving the information, KL Pariat, President of Khooid Ya Ka Wah Myntdu, and Jordan Rymbai, President of the Jaiñtia Students’ Movement (JSM), along with police officials from the Jowai Police Station immediately rushed to the area.
Upon reaching the place, under the cover of darkness, they discovered a dumper actively involved in the alleged theft of rocks from the site.
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When questioned, one of the truck drivers confessed that they were acting on the instructions of an individual named F. Hinge, who had ordered the workers to transport the stolen rocks to a junction in Laad Mustem.
The police have seized the earth-mover and the trucks, and the two organisations have also filed an FIR against the illegal activity at Jowai Police Station.