SHILLONG/ GUWAHATI: Assam and Meghalaya are making joint efforts to take action against those who illegally carry out coal transportation.
There were instances of illegal transportation of coal both in Meghalaya and Assam.
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.
An official source said on Monday police and magistrates had seized several coal-laden trucks in Meghalaya in the past after detecting violations.
When contacted, Chief Secretary Y Tsering said action will be taken against those involved in illegal transportation of coal. He added that Meghalaya and Assam are jointly monitoring the situation.
“We have not allowed any transportation of coal and the January 18 notification for transportation of coal was only for the coal trucks which were on the road when the Supreme Court banned coal transportation on January 15,” the chief secretary said.
After the Supreme Court banned transportation of coal from January 15 this year based on the interpretation of Advocate General, the government issued the notification on January 18 for transportation of coal-laden trucks which were in transit after paying for challans.
According to the government, the notification allowing the movement of coal-laden trucks was only for a limited period.
Police sources in Assam said the CID team was constituted after a coal-laden truck from Meghalaya was intercepted at Koinadhara in the Khanapara area on January 23.
“On the basis of the truck driver’s statement, we visited the coal depot in Byrnihat (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,” Deba Dutta, DSP, CID, Assam police, 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 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 Byrnihat (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 at the check points and thereby facilitating “safe passage”.
“But we are keeping close watch on activities along our side of the border,” the CID official said.
Sources say a greater coordination among the district administration and police 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,” said Nobinson Kro, a social activist of Tamulikuchi in Byrnihat (Assam).
Vehicles detected
Police detected three trucks carrying coal illegally between January 22 and 25. On January 22, police found a truck with Assam registration around 7.30pm on Wa’geasi-Gairong Road in North Garo Hills. The vehicle was driven by 20-year-old Mojafar Ali.
Around 11.30pm on January 24, another coal-laden truck was detected. The vehicle without registration was parked along NH-40 in Mawiong.
Police seized one more truck with Nagaland registration at Umsaw in Ri Bhoi around 11.30am on January 25.
