HITO detects 18 illegal coal trucks, threatens to file complaint before NGT

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 7, 2022

The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has threatened to file a complaint before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) if the state police refused to register an FIR against 18 illegal coal trucks. 

“We will be compelled to approach the NGT if our FIR filed against the 18 illegal coal trucks with the Mawryngkneng police station is not registered,” HITO general secretary Wanbun Dkhar told reporters on Wednesday. 

He informed that the 18 illegal coal trucks were detected during an operation conducted by the organization after the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had recently stated that the government will not hesitate to take action against the so-called “High Level” involved in facilitating the illegal movement of trucks in the state. 

Tynsong had also asked, “name the people in the high level so that we will get them arrested.”

Reacting to this, Dkhar said that the detection of such illegal truck is a reply to the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government that illegal mining and transportation of coal is still continuing in the state of Meghalaya. 

Also Read | Bring out the names of those in the “High Level”, will get them arrested: Tynsong

“It is also a reply that a “High Level” really exists as almost all the drivers of the illegal trucks informed that they were allowed to ply without any documents after entry with the “High Level”,” he added.

The HITO leader  informed that accordingly an FIR was filed with the Mawryngkneng police station against the 18 illegal coal trucks.

“However we got a phone call from the Mawryngkneng police station stating that they cannot register the FIR because of a notification issued by the Mining & Geology department. Therefore, the FIR is yet to be registered by the police,” he said.

When asked, Dkhar said the organization will again seek more clarification from the officer in-charge of the Mawryngkneng police station. “If they further delay to take action, we will also decide on other course of action to ensure those involved in such illegalities are not allowed to go scot free,” he maintained.