Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has demanded an independent inquiry by the Centre into the sprawling illegal coal mining network in Meghalaya, warning that a powerful cartel has emerged, extending its operations far beyond state borders.
Referring to recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids, Dr Sangma said, “As reflected by the ED, it has gone beyond the boundaries of Meghalaya state, so it is no longer a subject which should be handled by the state government of Meghalaya, it is already an issue a matter of serious concern and must be dealt by government of India.”
Slamming the failure of state agencies to act, he remarked, “How is it that the state authorities do not know? Today I will say that the ED has done a wonderful job, if ED has been able to unearth all this nexus, how is it not possible for the state agencies?”
Dr Sangma questioned the authenticity of coal inventory figures submitted by the state, highlighting a dramatic and unjustified jump in coal stock estimates. “I have said that this is a modus operandi, scripted, designed to ensure that there is a transportation of the coal in the name of this quantity which was reflected in the new inventory… how can 2-3 lakh become 32 lakh MT?”
Raising concern over a lack of police accountability, he said, “How is it possible that when there is rampant illegal mining taking place, the police could not establish any evidence at any point in time?” He further warned, “If evidence were not available by the police for each and every case which has been registered… then I have reasons to believe that yes, there is a need for an investigation by an authority or an agency which is free from political inference.”
Dr Sangma called out visible indicators of ongoing illegal mining. “If in Shalang area, you see lots of outsiders in the market coming to buy their daily ration, why are they there, if illegal coal mining is not taking place?” He questioned why, despite NGT orders, the police have not seized trucks carrying illegally mined coal or traced the movement of thousands of metric tonnes transported across states.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2019 order on coal ownership and legal mining, he said, “Every mining activity in respect of coal should be governed by these laws… now therefore it has become necessary for people to get all the necessary clearances… legal mining should start.”
Dr Sangma also criticised the state government’s reluctance to allow a CBI probe. “Why is the government so scared of CBI? Immediately after this order, didn’t the cabinet decide to invoke that power of the state to say no to the proposed CBI enquiry?”
Calling for immediate Centre-led intervention, he concluded, “Government of India must now look at the best possible mechanism to have an independent enquiry in as far as the illegal coal mining and the establishment of perceived cartel facilitating this whole illegality is concerned.”
