SHILLONG, Sep 23: State Director General of Police (DGP) Lajja Ram Bishnoi has admitted that it is difficult for the police to monitor illegal coal mining and transportation in every nook and corner as Meghalaya Police does not have the numbers to meet such requirement.
“It is very difficult to cover every inch, day and night, that much police we don’t have. We are covering it with mobile patrolling. As and when complaints are received, it is looked into,” the DGP said on Friday.
According to him, a monitoring committee is already in place and drones are being used to check illegal mining.
He pointed out that there are numerous allegations of illegal coal mining and transportation in the state from various quarters — from social activists to pressure groups and even political leaders of the ruling MDA besides the opposition have been raising the issue time and again.
On allegations levelled by a pressure group of finding 18 coal-laden trucks and their FIR not being registered, the DGP said that he will look into it.
To a question on various police checkgates set up along the highway, especially in Jaintia Hills, and allegations of some police personnel collecting money, the DGP said the police check the vehicles after getting inputs on drugs and other illegal activities, while arguing that for them to check the suspects, they need to be on the ground.
Talking about allegations of money collection from trucks, Bishnoi said any specific charges by individuals will be looked into.
A few days ago, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had ruled out any illegal transportation of coal in the state.
He also claimed only one lakh metric tonne of 31-32 lakh metric tonnes of extracted coal has been auctioned to date, insisting all transportation of the fossil fuel is legal “as per challan” processed by Coal India Limited.
