Govt should not tolerate illegal activities says Meghalaya Speaker

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 5, 2021

Assembly Speaker and United Democratic Party (UDP) chief Metbah Lyngdoh on Saturday asked the state government not to tolerate any kind of illegal activities.

“Be it illegal coal mining or anything, they (government) should not tolerate any kind of illegal activities,” Lyngdoh told reporters at the sidelines of a tree plantation programme organized as part of the World Environment Day on Saturday.   

His statement also came in the wake of the recent coal mining accident that led to five miners being trapped inside a mine in East Jaintia Hills district.  

Stating that incident is a clear case of illegal mining of coal, the Speaker said that he was happy to see the statement given by the home minister Lahkmen Rymbui that stern action will be taken against those who are involved in illegal coal mining.

Asked if he supported the demand of the Congress for setting up of an independent inquiry to end the illegal coal trade in the state, Lyngdoh however said it is up to the government to decide on what needs to be done.

“However, illegal coal mining has been happening right from 10 – 20 years (ago) but one should not allow it, one should not encourage and any government has to take action,” he said.