SHILLONG: Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed ban on extraction and shipment of coal in Meghalaya, there have been several attempts, mostly in Jaintia Hills, by miners to export the extracted coal out of the State in complete violation of the NGT order.
Recently, East Jaintia Hills Police seized eight coal-laden trucks and arrested 16 persons, mostly truck drivers and helpers, for illegally transporting coal from East Jaintia Hills to cement plants.
Earlier on August 4, West Jaintia Hills Police arrested nine persons and seized four coal-laden trucks from Jowai which were illegally transporting coal.
On July 18, West Jaintia Hills Police seized two coal-laden trucks left abandoned on Phramer-Shangpung Road. Both the trucks were seized and a case was registered against the owner of the vehicles.
On July 11, West Jaintia Hills Police seized two trucks, both 12-wheelers, which were transporting coal in violation of the NGT ban in the State. A case was registered against owner of the trucks Marbiang Passah of Mootyrshiah village in West Jaintia Hills.
West Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Herbert Lyngdoh, while speaking on the issue, said the district police was keeping a vigil to ensure that the NGT directives are not violated at any cost.
He said that police have detected several cases of illegal transporting of coal and accordingly cases have been registered and vehicles seized.
He also said that police have been conducting checking in different locations of the district to ensure that coal is not transported in any manner.