NONGSTOIN/ SHILLONG, Feb 17: Illegal coal mining and the monetary gains that come with it may once again fuel militancy in Meghalaya.
An FIR filed by one of the Nokmas under Nongstoin Syiemship in West Khasi Hills on February 14 has pointed to the coal trade-insurgency nexus in the coal-rich areas of the state.
Kristina Marak, Nokma of Nengchigen village, lodged the FIR at Shallang police station against illegal coal mining in their clan land while alluding to the presence of armed militants apparently being used to protect those involved in illegal coal mining.
A copy of the FIR is available with The Shillong Times.
The complaint has attained significance after All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) leader, Mukul Sangma’s claim that money from illegal coal mining was sustaining militant groups in the state. Later on, he said he had hard evidence on the illegal mining and transportation of coal.
In her complaint, the Nokma said rat-hole coal mining was being forcibly carried out by at least seven persons she identified as Alnet Marak, Clington Marak, Pandit Momin, Toban Marak, Nazim Ali, Lipson Momin and Pangseng Sangma.
The FIR also said the seven have been threatening the members of the clan who had tried to stop the illegal activities.
It added that the illegal miners were in cahoots with the local police who were charging Rs 500 per trip by these coal-laden trucks.
Her complaint also said the persons named were involved with at least three illegal check gates in the villages of Rengchi, Rajagula and Chimilam.
The FIR pointed to the armed militants being used to instil fear among the villagers, some of whom were being used to collect money from the coal trucks. These acts, the complaint said, were pushing the villagers into lawlessness under fear of retribution.
In December 2021, another Nengchigen villager had filed an FIR against a group that was carrying out mining activities despite an order by the subordinate district council court on August 8 that year.
When contacted, West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Herbert G. Lyngdoh said they have already registered a case at Shallang police station based on the FIR filed by the Nokma.
“I have asked the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) to investigate on the matter. We will take action as per the law if the allegations made in the FIR are found to be true,” Lyngdoh said.
Asked if anyone has been arrested, he said they have just started investigation in the case.
CONRAD seeks hard evidence
The AITC has not come forward with the hard evidence it claimed to possess on the illegal coal mining and transportation in the state. The MDA government has been demanding the evidence to initiate action.
“Provide the hard evidence,” Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said, asserting that all procedures were being followed.
“One cannot call inquiry after inquiry just for the sake of it. There has to be some basis, some kind of evidence,” he said when asked whether or not a CBI inquiry would be initiated to clear the allegations.
“These things (inquiry) cost money and take time. It is not that we are running away but an inquiry needs to be based on facts,” he added.