Summary:
Locals prospered even at the cost of the environment and loss of lives.The scenario changed when the National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole and other forms of illegal coal mining in the state. The ban no doubt left thousands jobless who now vent their anger on political parties-Congress in particular-during whose rule the ban came into force. For one, its support base had eroded in the coal-mining areas of the Jaintia and Garo Hills. If we do it scientifically, it could boost the state's economy and help solve the state's unemployment problem," BJP spokesperson Basu Chakraborty said. "However, it was a great challenge for Congress to go to the people with their side of the story..