By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 4: The Justice (retired) BP Katakey-led one-man inquiry committee will visit East Jaintia Hills soon as it received reports that coal is still being extracted illegally in the district.
Justice Katakey told The Shillong Times on Saturday that he will carry out an inspection there.
He was earlier appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya to oversee the disposal of previously illegally-mined coal and monitor the steps taken by the state government to ensure compliance with the orders passed by the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court prohibiting unscientific mining of coal.
Justice Katakey had earlier recommended departmental proceedings and administrative action against the officer in-charge of Shallang Police Station. The government informed him last month that departmental proceedings started against the police officer.
During his recent visit to Shallang, Justice Katakey found a huge quantity of illegally-mined coal within one kilometer radius of the Shallang Police Station.
As of now, he has filed 18 reports before the High Court. He will have a meeting in Shillong on November 8 to discuss issues related to coal mining.
As far as illegal coke factories in Shallang area are concerned, it was informed that apart from 3-4 which are operating with required permission, all the other units have been closed down.
Although the Supreme Court stayed the demolition of coke factories, the Justice Katakey-headed committee is ensuring that no other coke plants operate in the area.
