SHILLONG: As cases of illegal transportation of coal and mining keeps on surfacing from time to time, State Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has asserted that any of such cases will be dealt with a firm hand.
“I cannot deny the fact that there is nothing. Something is there and it is our duty to prevent that and I request each and everybody to be avid of the scenario and see that this illegality is curbed,” Rymbui said.
The statement came from the Home Minister in view of the recent seizure of 83 coal laden trucks in West Khasi Hills and cases of fresh mining and transportation in certain parts of Garo Hills
Pointing out that four people were arrested by the state forest department while smuggling coal and boulders from within the Rongrenggre Forest Reserve which included a former area commander of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Rymbui said,” The government cannot post police in each and every corner but when there is concrete information we act on it”.
Backing his statement, Rymbui said,” In between Meghalaya, Assam and Bangladesh there are many border roads and smugglers uses all these roads for their illegal activities to thrive”.
“We will deal with a firm hand and there is no ambiguity in that and wherever we have concrete information, we will act on it,” he added.
Asked if the state government is serious about dealing with the illegal transportation of coal then why has it filed a petition in the High Court against the Lokayukta direction for a CBI probe, Rymbui said,” It is not for me to comment. Whatever decision is taken is a legal matter. For me, I have to see whatever illegality is happening is curbed”.
