‘No illegal mining, nexus with mafia’

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has ruled out allegations of illegal coal mining levelled by the opposition.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tynsong said isolated cases of illegal coal-laden trucks were seized by magistrates and police since 2014 during the Congress regime but “does it mean that the previous government was involved in illegal transportation”? “It (the Congress) is trying to blame the MDA government over the issue. It is not fair,” he added.
When asked about the allegation of collusion between political bosses and coal mafia, he downplayed saying the opposition’s “main job is to make allegations and it is their duty to make allegations”.
“The government is very serious about the matter and instructions have already been issued to the administration in all districts to be on alert and take action against illegal coal mining accordingly,” he said.
On independent inquiry into the coal mining issue, Tynsong said the government will discuss about it.
Several trucks carrying illegal coal were seized from different parts of the state in the last couple of months. Two activists were also attacked while probing illegal transportation.