Editor,
First and foremost, I take this opportunity to praise the fourth pillar of democracy for being active on the core issue of illegal mining and transportation, which has been published in the esteemed daily from time to time, emphasizing on the need to address the ensuing issues post the Hon’ble NGT order prohibiting extraction and transportation of coal. In a vibrant democracy like ours, it is imperative for fourth pillars to keep a balance and disseminate information after a considerate examination of truth pertinent to any such allegations or information. Therefore, on the basis of the same principle of propagating facts, I am to elucidate on the matter apposite to your column under the caption “Coal mafia resurface” (ST April 5, 2019), where a vigilant NGO on discerning several trucks parking along the by-pass, had lodged an FIR implicating that these trucks were involved in transportation of coal. Subsequent, to receiving this information, a case was registered on the same day vide Umiam PS case No. 22(4)19 u/s 118/34 IPC R/W Sec. 21 MMDR Act and Sec. 15 of EP Act and investigation to ascertain the facts and circumstances of the case ensued. However, it is worth mentioning, that during the course of investigation it was ascertained that the trucks against which complaints were filed were possessing relevant documents and were transporting clinkers, cement and back load goods.
Further, it is also important to articulate that since there is a No- Entry into Guwahati city starting from Jorabad from 07:00 am to 08:30 pm, heavy vehicles transporting goods and commodities parked their vehicles along the by-pass awaiting permission to enter Assam. Supervening this matter was another incident which transpired, when the General Secretary of RBYO, lodged an FIR, incriminating some unknown persons including truck owners for threatening him, as the offence was cognizable as per law, a case vide Umiam PS No. 23(4)19 u/s 506/34 IPC was registered and investigation on the same is still taking place.
I am to also further accentuate, on the exigent fact that the allegations of passivity on the part of Officer-in-Charge is erroneous and misleading, as both the information received were duly registered as cognizable cases and investigations have already been initiated. It was also alleged that permission had to be obtained from the Superintendent of Police to register the case. This itself is a misnomer, as it was only an intimation to a senior officer and not seeking for permission to register the case. The allegations that trucks passes through police check point without being checked or penalized is imprecise and ambiguous as in Ri-Bhoi District alone a total of 343 cases were registered. To add to this, a total of 1174 cases have been registered till December 2018, against those involved in illegal transportation of coal and 109 cases were registered till December 2018 against those involved in illegal extraction of coal, since the interdiction by the the Hon’ble NGT in 2014, in the whole state of Meghalaya.
Nevertheless, in the interest of all at large, the Director General of Police, Meghalaya has constituted a fact finding committee, where an ADGP rank officer along with three DIGs of the state have been entrusted the task of ascertaining the facts and circumstances regarding the various allegations published from time to time.
Yours etc.,
G. K. Iangrai, MPS AIG (A), Meghalaya Police,
Shillong.