By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 16: The state government set up a judicial inquiry commission to investigate the recent coal mine blast at Mynsngat–Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills district but the Voice of the People Party (VPP) is not amused.
The party said similar commissions failed to deliver meaningful outcomes in the past.
Reacting to the suo motu statement made by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in the Assembly on the first day of the Budget Session, VPP’s Nongkrem MLA and president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said such judicial commissions rarely reach a logical conclusion.
“I do not see this commission bringing any positive or satisfactory outcome. It may end up like past commissions. We do not expect much from this inquiry. If the government is truly determined to curb illegal coal mining and trading, it must take much stricter and more decisive action,” Basaiawmoit told The Shillong Times.
Reminding that the ban on coal mining was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, the VPP legislator said that even after 12 years, the state government has failed to ensure its effective enforcement.
According to him, continued illegal mining activities indicate a lack of serious intent on the part of the government to address the issue.
He said the move to institute a judicial inquiry appeared to be more of a reaction to the tragedy rather than a proactive measure to tackle the long-standing problem.
“If the state government maintains that it has no involvement in illegal mining and trading of coal and that it genuinely intends to properly implement the NGT ban, then it must prove so through concrete action,” Basaiawmoit said.
He said it is an “open secret” that the smuggling of coal continues openly across the state. “Everyone can see trucks carrying illegally mined coal plying on the roads. The government cannot deny this reality,” he said.
He demanded accountability at the highest levels in the district administration, calling for action against top officials, including the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police (SP).
The VPP president questioned the rationale behind the recent transfer of East Jaintia Hills SP Vikash Kumar, terming it as “eyewash.”
“If the SP had no involvement, why was he transferred? And if he was involved in illegal coal mining and trading, then a mere transfer is not sufficient punishment,” Basaiawmoit said.
He argued that if the officer was indeed complicit, a simple transfer would amount to a mild penalty, while transferring an uninvolved officer would raise further questions about the government’s intentions.
Meanwhile, Basaiawmoit stated that he has submitted an adjournment motion to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, seeking a detailed discussion on the issue.
“If the Speaker admits the adjournment motion, our party will present its stand and raise the relevant issues during discussion in the House tomorrow,” he said.
Expressing hope that the motion will be accepted, he said a thorough debate is necessary, particularly in light of the Chief Minister’s suo motu statement on the incident.
“We have many relevant points and issues to highlight in connection with illegal coal mining,” he added.
