TURA, Feb 25: Despite government claims of ending illegal mining of coal in Meghalaya, the black gold mafia continues undeterred with their unlawful activities in many parts of the mineral-rich state, including Garo Hills.
An ongoing illegal operation, which has been taking place for quite some time in the Chokpot civil sub-division region of South Garo Hills, was busted early this week leading to seizure of four vehicles that were trying to ferry the mineral in the dead of night.
The seizure was a success thanks to the quick reaction of police personnel from Chokpot Police Station, who rushed to the site of the illegal mine at Warima Wategre in the forested region and managed to detain four Mahindra Pik-Up mini trucks that had been loaded with the mineral and on the verge of being transported out.
The modus operandi of the illegal miners was to extract the mineral inside the forested region during the day and transport it out on small vehicles in the night to evade authorities.
These mini trucks have become the choice of transportation for the coal mafia as there is seldom checking of such vehicles along the highways.
Police have lodged an FIR and given a detailed report to the district administration about the illegal operation that is believed to have been going on for quite some time.
The illegal mining in Chokpot was unraveled after some concerned villagers alerted police that a shipment of illegal coal was to be moved out during the beginning of this week.
Police teams with SF-10 commandos deployed in the region rushed to the site and found four vehicles, all Mahindra Pik-Up trucks, loaded along with 18 persons engaged in the operation.
They were quickly rounded up along with the consignment and the ringleader of the operation, identified as Chuang Ch Marak (23) from Araimile Tura, was taken into custody with the rest of the illegal miners.
Police sources reveal that most of the illegal mining taking place is targeted for export into neighbouring Bangladesh where there is a huge demand for Garo Hills’ coal.
The closeness of the international border coupled with the high demand for coal to charge up brick kilns in the neighbouring country is believed to be fuelling the illegal mining.
