Meghalaya High Court Rejects State's "Grandiose" Plan To Deploy CRPF For Tackling Illegal Coal Mining

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday rejected the "Grandiose" blueprint prepared by the State government to deploy 100 companies of CRPF in the eastern range and 60 companies in the western range to curb the menace of Illegal Coal Mining.

A Full bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justices H. S. Thangkhiew, W Diengdoh observed,

"The cost implication, even on a short-term, temporary basis, may make it unfeasible. Indeed, only on account of construction of quarters and barracks, the State has indicated Serial No. 01 Regular List Page 2 of 3 a sum of Rs.316 crore and for requisitioning vehicles an annual expenditure in excess of Rs. 58 crore. At any rate, even if the infrastructure constructed may be put to use by the State upon the CRPF no longer being required, it would take a considerable period to complete the construction and it would be a Herculean task to house 160 companies on a temporary basis. Indeed, the State’s coal reserves may be exhausted by the time the State’s grand design is put in place."

The Court said considering the total area in the State and that some of the remote pockets do not have roads or even the menace of illegal coal mining and its transportation, 10 companies of CISF should be enough to check the vehicles and completely arrest the illegal transportation.

Deliberating on the role of CISF the bench observed,

"While CISF is engaged in checking vehicles, there is no doubt that it would also check for contraband and ensure that the goods vehicles conform to the weight limits for plying on the state and national highways in Meghalaya."

CRPF functions under the command of the State police whereas CISF can function independently, Court said.

The bench further added that the key areas that need to be manned and guarded would be decided in consultation with Justice (retd) BP Katakey, who has been tasked by this court for overseeing and ensuring the disposal of previously mined coal and to take steps to check illegal mining in the state.

The bench listed the matter again on March 20th 2023.

Case Title: In Re: (Suo motu): Illegal mining of coal in the State of Meghalaya Vs. State of Meghalaya

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