SHILLONG: The political patronage in coal trade despite the NGT ban was brought to the notice of the authorities a month before the attack on activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma.
In a joint letter written on October 4 this year, the president and general secretary of the Association of Meghalaya Traders and Transporters, Enrico D Pasi and Dalangki Suiam, respectively, had written to the DC and SP of East Jaintia Hills and the SP of West Jaintia Hills to initiate action against illegal transportation of coal.
The letter said despite several reports by NGOs and media, the ban on coal mining and transportation has not been enforced in both the Jaintia Hills districts.
The association pointed out that till date, there are several coal laden trucks regularly supplying coal to various destinations in Meghalaya and outside the state.
“Such activities cannot be performed without being patronised by government machineries. Surprisingly, most of the coal-laden trucks are owned by the relatives or close associates of strong and powerful people who are at the helm of affairs in the state,” said the transporters’ body in its letter.
They said irrespective of the owners and their close affiliation to the strong and powerful people, immediate action should be taken to stop illegal mining and transportation of coal in the two districts.
