The Meghalaya High Court has expressed its dissatisfaction over the widespread illegal coal mining and related activities in the state, despite previous court interventions. The court is now considering recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
On Tuesday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh stated,
“Since repeated orders over the last 15 months have yielded little result and the illegal trade in coal has its tentacles in other neighbouring or nearby States, particularly Assam, it may be in public interest to require the Central Bureau of Investigation to inquire into the matter.”
The court’s remarks were made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Champer M. Sangma, concerning the rampant illegal mining in the state. Sangma presented video evidence of illegal coal mining in West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, and South Garo Hills, along with satellite images to support his claims.
However, the Deputy Commissioner of South Garo Hills, who appeared before the court, argued that the video was old and depicted previously seized coal.
The court rejected this claim, stating,
“prima facie, the video footage reveals freshly-mined coal… The previously seized coal, which would have been coal that was mined prior to 2016 or 2017, would have plants, weeds and grass growing around them in the dumps.”
The court also expressed its concern over the state’s revenue loss due to these illegal activities, stating,
“There are credible reports carried in local newspapers that there are fixed rates at various levels for those in authority to look the other way as this menace ravishes the state and deprives it of the rightful revenue.”
Addressing the threat to those who report such illegal activities, the court warned,
“The state is put on notice that should any harm, even the slightest scratch or sprain, come to any of the petitioners…the state will be held responsible.”
The issue of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya has been a long-standing concern. Despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2014 due to environmental and health hazards, illegal mining activities continue to persist. The case underscores the urgent need for stringent measures to curb these activities and protect the state’s natural resources.