SHILLONG: Congress MDC from Mylliem and senior party leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh has taken a jibe at the chief minister over the issue of illegal mining of coal in the state and its transportation despite the NGT ban.
Talking to The Shillong Times here, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said, “Everyone in Meghalaya knows that illegal coal mining and transportation is taking place, but surprisingly the chief minister and his government is not aware about this illegal activity”.
He also alleged some are getting pecuniary benefits out of the illegal coal mining activity.
The statement of Lyngdoh assumes significance as recently an angry mob suspected to be from the pro-mining lobby attacked police personnel guarding the NGT check gate at Tuber Sohshrieh, East Jaintia Hills and took away three coal-laden trucks while the NGT on Friday had asked the DGP to stop illegal activities.
Police have, however, said the trucks are still in the state and have been identified. Police lodged a suo motu complaint that on May 1 around 9.30 pm, a group of persons armed with lathis and arrived at the NGT check point at Tuber Sohshrieh and threatened the police personnel on duty that if they do not allow their illegal coal trucks to ply towards Guwahati, they will kill them. According to the FIR, when the police personnel on duty refused to oblige, they were attacked by the mob.
Earlier, the Opposition had alleged that the illegal coal mining and its transportation still takes place in the state while the government has been assuring that it is taking every step to check the activity.
