GUWAHATI: The criminal investigation department (CID) of Assam Police has constituted a team led by a deputy superintendent of police to verify the legality of the coal depots in Byrnihat in the wake of reports of illegal transportation of coal from Meghalaya, defying a Supreme Court ban on movement of the “black diamond”.
Police sources said the team was constituted after a coal-laden truck from Meghalaya was intercepted by CID, Assam police at Koinadhara in the Khanapara area on the wee hours of January 23.
“On the basis of the truck driver’s statement, we visited the coal depot in Burnihat (Assam) from where the material was stated to be loaded. The documents of the coal depot owner are being examined to verify the legality of the trade. However, some coal traders in the area are not cooperating despite our summons for verification,” DSP, CID, Assam police, Deba Dutta, who is heading the investigation team, told The Shillong Times on Monday.
On January 6 this year, as many as 11 coal-laden trucks were seized by CID here.
CID sources say such coal, believed to be transported from Meghalaya, finds its way to states such as West Bengal and Bihar via Assam.
“The modus operandi according to information from our sources is that these traders enter Assam from Meghalaya and manage to get the documents (including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other allied dues) made here to show that the coal is part of old stocks from reserves in Assam and not from Meghalaya,” additional superintendent of police, CID, Assam police, Nirmal Baishya told this correspondent.
Baishya, while confirming information regarding illegally transported coal being dumped in depots in Byrnihat, said, “There is a technical problem as our jurisdiction is restricted to one side of Burnihat (in Kamrup metro district). Therefore, such vehicles would have to be intercepted in Meghalaya itself before they sneak into Assam.”
CID sources also acknowledged the possibility of “informers” on stretches of NH-37 and beyond whereby the coal-laden truck drivers are kept informed regarding the presence/absence of police on the check points and thereby facilitated “safe passage”.
“But we are keeping close watch on activities along our side of the border,” the CID official said.
Sources say that a greater coordination among the district and police administration of the two states is imperative as the trucks allegedly originate in Meghalaya and make their way outside the region through Assam.
“There are a few coal depots in the 14 Mile area but I have not been there. Even as there is a ban imposed on transportation of coal in Meghalaya, I believe there should be proper coordination between the authorities on both sides of the border to nip such activities in the bud,” Nobinson Kro, a social activist of Tamulikuchi in Burnihat (Assam) told this correspondent.
