DGP defends police on HC charge of coal illegalities

SHILLONG, April 14: Director-General of Police, Lajja Ram Bishnoi on Friday claimed the police have managed to keep the illegal mining and transportation of coal under check despite manpower shortage.
“By and large, it (illegal mining and transportation of coal) is under control. Whatever directions the court or the government will give, we will definitely try to follow those,” he told reporters.
Stating that the police are acting according to the High Court’s directions, he said wherever mistakes are pointed out, the force tries to plug the loopholes.
Bishnoi also said the strength of the force is not proportionate to dominate each and every inch of land. He said the police are trying to dominate areas as some might use jungle routes to indulge in illegal coal transportation.
The statement from the DGP comes two days after the High Court had come down heavily on the police for failing to curb the menace.
“Since the local police force, under the state government, has been completely ineffective or unwilling to control the malaise or implement the orders of the Supreme Court which they are duty-bound to do, it is felt appropriate that an external police force may be deployed for checking the illegal transportation of illegally-mined coal in the state,” the court had said.
It had directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to ensure the deployment of 10 companies of “appropriate” Central Armed Police Force, strictly for the purpose of keeping vigil on the roads and arresting the illegal transportation of illegally-mined coal in the state.
The direction was sent to the MHA through the Union Home Secretary.
The court had said there is no doubt illegal mining and illegal transportation of coal have continued in the state. If the rule of law is to be asserted, it cannot be done with the present machinery available in the state, the court had said.