Agency reveals 1,200 tonnes of coal through such means excavated daily,
hints at Assam syndicate role
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 25: In an alarming revelation about the controversial alleged coal-related irregularities in Meghalaya, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has confirmed that illegal rat-hole mining is being “rampantly” done under “inhuman” conditions in the state despite the NGT ban. Moreover, ED’s searches have found that about 1,200 tonnes of coal through such means is being excavated daily.
The Shillong sub-zonal office of the ED, on Thursday, conducted searches at 15 premises in South Garo Hills and Assam in connection with illegal coal mining and running illegal coke plants.
The raids were conducted under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in areas such as Jadigittim and Nongalbibra in Meghalaya, besides Jogighopa (Bongaigaon), Margherita (Tinsukia), and Guwahati in Assam.
The searches revealed that the coal mine owners and syndicate operators in Meghalaya coordinate with miners in Margherita to give the impression that the coal is sourced legally.
“From the documents seized and the statement of the managers, mine owners, and labourers, it was revealed that 5-7 trucks were loaded every day from each mine. Each truck carried 12-16 tonnes of illegally mined coal,” the ED said in its statement on Friday.
According to the ED, the moderate estimate of the illegal coal mined per day from the Era Aning and Goreng areas of South Garo Hills was about 1,200 tonnes per day, and the mine owners got Rs 5,000-10,000 per truck as their profit after taking care of all expenses.
The ED further said that during the search, Rs 1.58 crore in cash, laptops, mobile phones, and two high-end vehicles suspected to be purchased out of the proceeds of the crime were seized.
Incriminating evidences
The ED said that during the search, digital devices and incriminating documents, including diaries and ledgers, were seized, and statements of the key persons were recorded.
These revealed that despite the ban on mining in the last decade, illegal rat-hole mining was being rampantly done under inhuman conditions and without any safety for the miners.
The ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered in Shallang under various sections of the IPC of 1860, the MMDR Act of 2015, the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, the Explosive Substances Act of 1883, and the Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act of 1988.
During the search, it was found that the managers, sardars, and labourers were engaged in illegal coal mining in Jadigittim, South Garo Hills, using primitive tools. It was noticed that around 20 mines are being run illegally in the Era Aning and Goreng areas.
A few labourers were handed over to local police to establish their identities and nationality.
The ED investigation further revealed that a syndicate with members from Assam and Meghalaya is in charge of ensuring that the trucks carrying illegal coal cross the interstate border without any checking or restrictions, and papers are forged to show the coal is legally mined. The ED said the syndicate charges Rs 1.27-1.5 lakh in cash per truck from the mine owners in the name of commission or patronage. The illegally mined coal is stored at depots located at Jogighopa.
According to the ED, the coal is thereafter transported to cement, brick kiln, iron and steel industry, and coke industry from the depots to various parts of the Northeast and beyond.
It was further revealed that the Jogigohpa depot operators issue fake bills or invoices to show the coal has been purchased from the legal mines in Assam.
The ED also said the cash generated by the syndicate is stored with handlers. “Further investigation is in progress,” it added.