Illegal Coal Mining: Meghalaya High Court Says State Govt Consistently "Wards Off" PILs But Does Little To Crack Down On Unauthorized Operations

The Meghalaya High Court has once again expressed its dissatisfaction with the State government's insufficient efforts in tackling the issue of illegal coal mining and the transportation of coal to illicit coke plants.

A bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee along with Justices HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh observed,

"The State’s consistent practice has been to ward off these matters and hope for something better. However, when it comes to cracking down on illegal operations, very little appears to have been done".

The bench was hearing a PIL wherein the petitioner flagged possible involvement of police officials, particularly in Shallang, in facilitating the illegal transportation of coal to these unauthorized coke plants. The petitioner further sought to ascertain the identities of the key individuals responsible for perpetuating these illegal activities. However, the State sought adjournment of the matter when another case pertaining to illegal transportation of coal is due to appear.

The bench observed that the State has adopted a consistent pattern of evading the issue. In a similar matter, the Court had recently expressed deep concern over the laxity of the State in controlling illegal coal mining operations. "The complicity of the State with the mafia and the racket operating in the illegal mining of coal and its illegal transportation is clear and obvious..." it had said.

On Tuesday, it said that Justice B.P. Katakey (retired) who has already been appointed to look into the issue vide directions in the another matter, to investigate the individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining and transportation of coal, as well as the functioning of unlawful coke plants, including the receipt of illegally-mined coal.

"In course of such exercise, the acts of omission and commission by persons in the administration, particularly police officials, including,possibly, the officer-in-charge of Shallang, may also be directed to be looked into", the bench directed.

The matter will now be taken on July 3.

Case Title: Monu Kumar vs State of Meghalaya & ors

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