Criminal conspiracy plotted by powerful people to carry out illegal mining of coals in Meghalaya: Dr. Mukul Sangma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 28, 2020

Taken aback by the rampant illegal mining and illegal transportation of coals in the State of Meghalaya, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma on Wednesday called for a proper investigation by an independent agency to unearth the criminal conspiracy plotted by few powerful people for their own benefit at the cost of the State and its people.

Dr Sangma told a team of media persons who accompanied him to Khliehrangnah, Shangpung under Laskein Community & Rural Block and Raliang Assembly Constituency represented by former Congressmen and now NPP MLA Comingone Ymbon. He was flanked by Shillong West MLA Mohendro Rapsang, Mawryngkneng MLA David Nongrum, Deputy Commissioner West Jaintia Hills District Garod L S N Dykes, Divisional Mining Officer Marshall Syrti, DSP West Jaintia Hills District C Lyngdoh and large police forces.

The Leader of Opposition informed that they decided to carry the spot inspection at Khliehrangnah as to verify the total reserve of unclaimed coals of 1 lakh, 41,000 metric made by the Meghalaya Government as per FIR lodged on 23rd June, 2020.

Notably, the Divisional Mining Officer filed the FIR on a basis of complaint received from Damehi Lamare with DC, West Jaintia Hills District reporting fresh extraction and dumping of coal at Khliehrangnah area (WJH), which is a violation of the Supreme Court order.

In the course of inspection, the former Chief Minister was overheard instructing the Deputy Commissioner West Jaintia Hills District to take necessary actions as to tap the illegal mining and transportation of coals and not to bow down to any undue pressure from any powerful people as it has been observed that the coals lying in Khliehrangnah are mostly newly mined ones.

The Leader of Opposition said that the total reserve of unclaimed coals of 1.41 lakh metric tons made by MDA Government as on 23rd June, last is a “predetermined figure” as after the on spot verification the quantity of coals could be around 30000 to 40000 metric tons only. 

He also informed that Government is presently initiating steps for auctioning the unclaimed coals of 1.41 metric tons.

This is nothing but “the implementation of a well scripted modus operandi” carried out by the MDA Government in the State of Meghalaya to serve the interest of the powerful people, rued the former Chief Minister.

Dr. Sangma questioned the inordinate delay of auctioning of coals weighing 32 lakhs metric tons in the inventory as declared by the Coal of India Limited (CIL) as per Supreme Court judgment passed on 3rd July, 2019. He also said that this is the same question asked by many people of the State and he also pondered whether this inordinate delay is intentional to pave way for the implementation of the well scripted modus operandi for appeasement of powerful people.

“The auctioning of the 32 lakh metric tons of extracted coals should not be done in piecemeal manner but in one go,” he added.

The former Chief Minister lambasted the present Meghalaya Government for its failure to release the share of royalties to the Autonomous District Council (ADC) and this resulted in their inabilities to pay salaries to their employees.