The Sinthang Coal Block is located near the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognised ecological hotspot in the Chokpot Civil Sub Division of South Garo Hills District, Meghalaya. The project proposed ‘scientific’ coal mining across 150 hectares adjoining the reserve.
The controversy began in 2021 when the husband of the Paromgre Nokma (village head) allegedly sold more than 150 hectares of land for mining without the consent of clan representatives. In 2025, following the prospecting and survey activities, indigenous Garo communities started objecting to the project, citing concerns of environmental degradation, impacts on forests, rivers, and wildlife.
Residents and civil society organisations allege that the rigorous mining has already caused environmental damage, including river pollution, silting, drying of tributaries, deforestation, soil erosion, and habitat disturbance. Opponents of the project argue that continued mining could disrupt wildlife movement in the region and threaten biodiversity within the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and nearby ecotourism sites such as Abong Chigat, Redingsni, Wari Chora, and Tengte Rongrep.
Garo Student Union general secretary Spensar Marak stated, “Wildlife species such as the Hoolock Gibbon, Himalayan Black Bear, and several rare bird species are likely to lose their homes, forcing them to migrate or perish.” The local people are also dependent on water from several rivers that run through South Garo Hills, including the Rongdik, Rompa, Kakija, Rekman, and Kantasi, which could dry up if the mining activities are approved.
“Our forests were cut through using JCBs and dumper trucks, and now there is a network of over 8-10 km of internal roads. A huge number of trees, both small and large, were cleared just to make way for scientific mining, something we have never agreed to. We have lost so much forest cover just for the greed of a few people,” said one resident.
In October 2025, opposition intensified as residents alleged that the project had been classified as ‘non-forest’ land and advanced without adequate consultation, site inspections, or required clearances. On 18 October 2025, several student, environmental, and civil society organisations conducted a joint site visit and publicly opposed the project.
Activists challenged that forest lands were approved as non-forest, and departments issuing licences must be held accountable. In November 2025, the villagers mentioned identifying 6-8 sites where prospecting was attempted, stating that more locations had been dug up. They also displayed areas of unnecessary forest clearance by miners, with reports of water drying in many places.
“We suspect that the ongoing excavation might not be limited to coal only. Based on various public statements, including those by Tura MP Saleng A. Sangma and BJP MDC Bernard N. Marak, there are indications that uranium exploration and mining might be planned for certain parts of the Garo Hills. If such activities are being carried out or disguised under coal mining operations, it will pose a severe health hazard not only to local communities but to the entire Garo Hills region,” they speculated.
Environmental groups further alleged that mining operations were proceeding without necessary environmental clearances. Some CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) raised concerns that uranium extraction could be occurring under the guise of coal mining, although no evidence confirming such activities was available.
In November 2025, CSOs seized 88 boxes of allegedly illegal minerals near the project site and handed them over to the police. On 15 November 2025, an arson attack destroyed the geological survey campsite, machinery, and rest camp associated with the Sinthang Coal Block. Following the incident, project representative Georgemon S. Marak filed a complaint naming 8 individuals allegedly associated with anti-mining groups.
Locals, on the other hand, filed a counter-complaint denying the allegations of involvement in arson against the accused individuals. Separately, several CSOs accused authorities of failing to take preventive measures and alleged administrative collusion with mining interests. No arrests have been reported. In November 2025, the anti-mining groups urged the government departments, including the Forest and State Pollution Control Boards, to conduct follow-up investigations and order a halt to any unauthorised operations without delay.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Opposition against environmental degradation
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Complaint against procedural violations
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project stalled due to protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Water bodies, Other environmental services, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value, Fishing, Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
<https://themeghalayanexpress.com/arson-attack-on-coal-survey-teams-campsite-in-south-garo-hills/> <https://themeghalayanexpress.com/chokpot-groups-denounce-arson-accusations-seek-impartial-probe-into-camp-attack/>
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Environmental Law, Environmental Law, Other, Environmental Law, Environmental Law, Environmental Law, Central/State Government Policy
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
November 14, 2025
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
South Garo Hills District Administration, Meghalaya Police, Forest Department, State Pollution Control Board, Garo Hills Autonomous District Council
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Garo Students’ Union, Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), Chokpot Area Vigilance Committee (CAVC), Garo State Movement Committee (GSMC), Federation of Khasi Jaintia & Garo people (FKJGP), Achik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO), Achik Conscious Holistic Integrated Krima (ACHIK), Federation of Khasi Jaintia
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
