Illegal coal mining in Garo Hills
From Our Correspondent
RESUBELPARA, April 8: Justice (Retd) BP Katakey has recommended the establishment of smart check gates and other concrete measures to curb illegal coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya.
In his upcoming recommendations to the Meghalaya High Court, Katakey has specifically suggested setting up a smart check gate near Athiabari on the Assam-Meghalaya border; establishing a police picket within 100 metres of the existing transport check gate at Dainadubi in North Garo Hills and converting the temporary check gate at Mendipathar Railway Station into a permanent facility.
These recommendations emerged from his visit to Resubelpara in North Garo Hills on Wednesday, where he met officials from the district administrations of North, East, and South Garo Hills to review and strengthen action plans against illegal coal mining.
The meeting was held at the office of the Deputy Commissioner, North Garo Hills, and was attended by the DCs and SPs of the three districts, Naba Bhattacharjee (Technical Advisor to the Government of Meghalaya), and MB Tongper, Director of Mining.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Justice Katakey acknowledged that illegal coal mining continues in the state, referring to the recent tragic incident that resulted in the death of nearly 18 persons in East Jaintia Hills.
He noted that four categories of coal are currently in circulation: legally mined coal, inventoried coal, seized illegal coal, and freshly illegally mined coal being transported.
Following the recent incident, district administrations prepared action plans as directed by the Mining and Geology Department in line with Meghalaya High Court recommendations.
Justice Katakey observed that these plans have brought some semblance of control, though certain gaps remain.
He stressed the need to investigate the role of landowners in illegal mining cases registered at police stations. “The mine cannot be dug overnight and coal extracted and transported without the knowledge of the landowner. They cannot claim ignorance about what is happening on their own land,” he said.
He observed that implementation has been relatively effective in the Garo Hills, with reportedly no active illegal mines in North and East Garo Hills (except in South Garo Hills).
Before arriving in Resubelpara, he visited Hahim village near Athiabari in Assam, where he found several coal depots. He questioned the source of this coal and stated that it is likely sourced from illegal mining in Meghalaya, which needs thorough investigation.
Justice Katakey stated that he would submit his detailed recommendations to the Meghalaya High Court based on the discussions and observations made during the visit.
