Conrad in denial mode on illegal mining

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma continues to refute allegations of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya even after the seizure of numerous coal-laden trucks.
Talking to media persons here on Thursday, Sangma said “according to the information available with the government”, no mining was done since the NGT ban came into effect in 2014.
Sangma reiterated the government’s stand days after activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma, who were probing illegal mining in Jaintia Hills, were attacked allegedly by coal miners, truckers and locals.
He, however, assured that the government will “try to find out” if there is any truth into the alleged illegal mining.
“We will try to fix if anything wrong is committed. But if reports of illegal mining are coming in, it is our duty to take action against it and we will definitely do that,” he said.
At the same time, Sangma admitted that mining activity is vast making it impossible for the government to keep a close watch on every part of the state.
Criticising the Congress for making “unnecessary statements”, the chief minister said the MDA government “is trying to resolve the situation that it (the previous government) had created when in power”.
“Sadly the previous government did not do anything to resolve this ban on coal mining. After taking over, we moved the Supreme Court and the Government of India to resolve this long-pending issue. We are also working on mechanisms to ensure that mining can take place in a safe way for both the environment and the miners,” he added.
Former chief minister Mukul Sangma had accused the new government of encouraging illegal mining.
When asked about the three-member committee of the NGT that found new mining holes in East Jaintia Hills, Conrad said the government “will definitely take action if such inputs are shared”.
When asked about the growing demands on independent inquiry into the attack on the activists, the chief minister said top officials of the Home Department are carrying out an inquiry as per the evidence available.
“The government will review at a later stage if there is a need for an independent inquiry,” he added.