Photo Courtesy: nenow
Shillong: Meghalaya Opposition leader Mukul Sangma claims authorities are shielding illegal coal miners. He says officials deliberately combine separate legal violations into single proceedings to stall justice. Sangma spoke to the media on Thursday. He argued that grouping cases creates legal gridlock, preventing courts from reaching clear decisions.
Legislators frequently hear the matter is sub-judice when they bring it up in the Assembly. Sangma noted that investigators often file FIRs only to close them later citing a lack of evidence. This practice lets offenders walk free. "Illegal activities are continuing," Sangma said. He pointed to committee reports confirming mining persists despite official claims of insufficient evidence.
The inventory math does not add up. The National Green Tribunal banned mining in 2014. By 2018, Sangma expected coal stocks to sit at 2 lakh metric tonnes following verified transportation. Instead, the figure climbed to 32 lakh metric tonnes. Sangma wants to know who approved that massive jump. He personally checked records in West Jaintia Hills and found a mismatch.
Sangma previously asked then Chief Secretary MS Rao for an independent investigation into the discrepancy. No action followed. He maintains that collusion keeps the illicit trade alive and wastes judicial time. Without a deep, independent probe, the state will never stop the leaks.
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