Rat hole coal mining banned in East Jaintia Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 10, 2022

In an indirect admission of of illegal coals mining despite the NGT ban, the East Jaintia Hills District Administration has prohibited rat hole coal mining in all areas within the district under Section 144 CrPC.

According to an order issued by A. Baranwal, IAS, District Magistrate East Jaintia Hills District, transportation of coal without valid challan or documents or permission/ license issued by competent authority to and from this District is also prohibited.

Violation of the prohibitory order shall attract penal actions under Section 188 IPC apart from the other prevalent relevant laws.

The order said rat hole coal mining deemed hazardous to the people and the environment was banned by the National Green Tribunal in April 2014.

There has been multiple coal accidents in the district during attempts to illegally mine the coal in the district despite the ban.