HC orders CRPF to monitor coal illegalities in state

SHILLONG, Feb 14: Troubles seem to be far from over for the Meghalaya government with the High Court of Meghalaya now asking Justice (retd) BP Katakey to prepare the modalities to allow the CRPF to aggressively monitor and crack down on the illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state.
The full bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh on Tuesday ordered that the state government should be given a lesser role to play in monitoring the illegalities.
The court also asked the state to indicate the ideal number of companies of personnel necessary to effectively monitor and check the prohibition on unscientific mining of coal, including rat-hole mining, and the transportation of the recently illegally mined coal.
Hearing the suo-motu PIL in relation to the illegal mining of coal in the state, the court said it is in receipt of a report dated February 6, 2023 filed by Justice Katakey and a report from the State dated February 13, 2023 enclosing the postmortem reports pertaining to the recent deaths due to rat-hole mining in Khliehriat.
The court observed that the postmortem reports are not legible.
Deputy Solicitor-General N Mozika submitted that the mandate of the CISF is to guard installations and buildings and not really do police work but the CRPF is available to augment the policing duty ordinarily undertaken by the state police.
The court was informed that there are companies and battalions available both in Shillong and in Guwahati, if there be need therefor.
“What needs to be appreciated is that in several areas, for want of alternative livelihood, common citizens have taken to dangerous mining methods. It is almost a social malaise. People who have been involved in such form of mining for a long period of time have to be weaned out and for such purpose, the state has to devise schemes and provide alternative forms of livelihood,” it said.
The court also stated that awareness and education would also go a long way in arresting the menace, adding the entire saga of illegal mining cannot be seen to be the handiwork of a specific class of persons.
The court also permitted the East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police to be on the ground, particularly during the election season.
“The Superintendent of Police will next be required to be in court when specifically called for; or else, the reply sought for him will suffice for the moment,” the order said.
The next hearing on the case will be on February 28.