Hek slams MDA over illegal mining, says removal of James was just a drama

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 14, 2021

BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah legislator AL Hek on Tuesday said the chief minister Conrad K Sangma’s decision to strip off the home portfolio from his elder brother James K Sangma was just a “drama to fool the people of the state”.

His statement came following the recent findings of the Amicus appointed by the Meghalaya High Court that there is rampant illegal mining all over the state but little action had been taken by the state in such regard.

“It (removal of James as home minister) was just a drama to fool the people of the state,” Hek said.

James K Sangma was removed as the home minister during a major cabinet reshuffle last year, in view of the alleged discontentment expressed by other ministers against him. He was replaced by UDP legislator Lahkmen Rymbui.

When asked, the former health minister said that the government cannot deny that illegal mining and transportation of coal is going on in the state.

“This afternoon only I got a call from Garo Hills that illegal coal transportation is happening every day…even from West Khasi Hills it is happening everyday, they (govt) cannot deny the fact as even the representative of the high court has also found that illegal mining is taking place in the state,” he added.

He also recalled that most of the cabinet ministers have held several meetings with the deputy chief minister expressing their unhappiness against such illegalities happening in the state.

“We have had several meetings in the chamber of the deputy chief minister where we have maintained that we are not happy and that the government should not allow any kind of illegal mining and transportation of coal,” Hek said.

According to him, almost all the ministers were present during the meetings held with the deputy chief minister except “those who are involved in the illegal activities”.

Stating that the people have lost faith in the present MDA government, the BJP leader said that it is high time that an independent inquiry should be instituted as demanded by many including opposition and NGOs.

“This is because the revenue collected is going to only a few people who are engaging in transporting the illegal coal to other states,” he said.