SHILLONG: Four years into the ban on coal mining, there is no respite to illegal extraction of coal.
Illegal mining is rampant in South West Khasi Hills bordering Bangladesh.
All along the Kolagaon river, Nonghyllam and Rajaju, mining is carried out despite the NGT ban.
The weighbridge in Kolagaon area that is used to export coal to Bangladesh is Bagli.
The CSWO visited Kolagaon area and found out illegal rat-hole mining to extract coal. A coal labourer told the pressure group that he works in a mine for seven hours and crawls almost 500 feet below to dig coal with a torch fixed on his head.
Quoting the coal worker, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said minors aged around 14 and 16 from the nearby village also work along with him. The minors are compelled to work in mines to buy books.
Besides, mining has affected the landscape of the area and the coal-laden trucks also damage roads and bridges.
Earlier, after the ban on coal mining, the National Green Tribunal had appointed local commissioners to carry out spot visits to find out the status. Later, the service of the local commissioners was discontinued.
More anomalies
Another cause for concern is circulation of fake challans to carry out coal transportation elsewhere in the state, besides coal smuggling to Guwahati. There are also instances where trucks carry coal without challans.
Police recently started an investigation into the circulation of fake challans.
