State seeks Central forces

Govt committed to total enforcement of NGT ban: DGP

SHILLONG: The State Government has sought 24 companies of Central para- military forces to deal with the illegal transportation of coal following the NGT ban.
Meghalaya DGP Rajiv Mehta said that the Government recently sought the deployment of para- military forces to ensure that the ban is strictly enforced.
There were series of cases of violation of NGT ban on rat coal mining with the police taking some action against the violators by way of arrest of truck drivers.
However, with the limited strength, police personnel are not able to man all the stretches where transportation of coal and mining is carried out.
The DGP, however, said that with the limited man power, police are making efforts to ensure that the ban is enforced.
“We are committed to ensure the enforcement of law despite the limited resources available”, the DGP said.
During the March 25 hearing in Delhi, the NGT had asked the State Government to seek the help of the Union Home Ministry to avail adequate forces to strictly enforce ban on coal mining after there were reports of rampant violation of order. The Chief Secretary was directed to follow up the instructions of NGT on the security aspect.
The NGT had also warned action Meghalaya police officials if they failed to check illegal transportation and mining of coal.