SHILLONG: Belling the cat may be a testy problem in implementation of the National Green Tribunal order on banning of rat hole mining in Meghalaya.
The police are entrusted to enforce the NGT order, but there could be a few policemen engaging in business associated with coal mining. Some of their relatives are also reported to be engaged in coal export business.
Replying to questions of newsmen on involvement of policemen in coal mining, Director General of Police PJP Hanaman hinted on Wednesday that there could be a minimal number of policemen associated with coal business, but refused to give their names and those of their relatives. But he asserted that the police would implement the order of NGT. Senior police officials like GHP Raju, SK Jain and YC Modi were present in the news conference.
Some politicians in the State, too, could be affected by the NGT order on rat hole mining. In her affidavit filed before the returning officer just before the 2013 assembly elections, wife of Chief Minister Dikanchi Shira, who was elected from Mahendraganj, had mentioned that she had coal mines in four locations in West Khasi Hills and one location in East Garo Hills. A few other senior State politicians are also stated to be directly or indirectly associated with coal business.
After a recent cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister was non-committal to reporters’ queries on the issue of rat hole mining. Observers pointed out, however, that there was also a concern that the banning of rat hole mining would affect livelihood in many areas of the State and politicians had to reckon with that possibility also.