SHILLONG: The state government had written to the Centre several times to release central forces to check illegal coal mining and transportation.
Earlier, soon after the NGT banned coal mining in 2014, the Tribunal had suggested the government to seek assistance from the Centre if the state police forces were finding it difficult to enforce the ban on coal mining and transportation.
Chief Secretary Y Tsering said on Tuesday that the state had sought additional forces from the Centre to deal with the mining issue but in vain as instead of sanctioning forces, the Union government had taken away central armed personnel from the state for election duty.
The chief secretary said the government had issued instructions to the DCs and SPs of respective districts to ensure that no illegal mining of coal or transportation takes place.
Assistance to victims
Tsering said the government is ready to provide any assistance to activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma, who were injured in the attack in East Jaintia Hills on November 8.
Earlier, the High Court had asked the government to bear all medical expenses.
The chief secretary said the government was also ready to assist in providing better medical treatment to the victims had the family members and the doctors at NEIGRIHMS desired so.