Opp Cong demands independent inquiry into illegal coal mining in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 1, 2021

The opposition Congress has demanded the immediate setting up of an independent inquiry to end the coal racket in the state.

“…there must be an immediate independent inquiry to go into the details of the illegalities that are going on in the state specifically for each district as it cannot be (one inquiry) for the whole state,” Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma told reporters on Tuesday.

Sangma made the demand at the sidelines of an inspection by the team of Congress MLAs to the various corona care centres and hospitals in West Jaintia Hills district.

His statement also came in the wake after five labourers are feared trapped inside an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, the incident of which had taken place on Sunday (May 30).  

He reiterated that a separate independent inquiry should be set up for each coal-rich district under Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills regions.

Asked, the former chief minister said, “We will see that it happens, we will see that there is independent inquiry in respect of the illegal coal mining and all those who are perpetrators of this crime do not go scot free.”

Expressing concern that precious lives have been lost in the East Jaintia Hills coal mine disaster, he said the opposition on a number of occasions has been trying to prevail upon the government and the leadership to crack a whip and stop all illegal mining.

“Unfortunately they have always been in denial mode whether it is inside the House or outside the House, we have raised this issue. Yesterday’s report clearly indicates that illegal coal mining is still going on,” he added.

Stating that there are many illegal activities which are an offshoot of illegal coal mining, he said these include illegal transportation, illegal sale, illegal transaction (which) in the process viatiating the environment and affecting the society and the state.

“…this doesn’t augur well for the government, for the people of the state, so we must put an end to this,” he demanded.