Amid strong pressure over allegations of fresh illegal coal mining in parts of the state, MDA Government spokesperson and Meghalaya Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Wednesday asserted that the Conrad K. Sangma-led dispensation has “nothing to hide” and is open to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry, even as it has already ordered a judicial probe into the matter.
With the opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and accusing the government of failing to curb illegal mining, the political temperature has escalated sharply.
Seeking to reinforce the administration’s transparency plank, Shylla maintained that the government acted with seriousness from the very beginning and had nothing to conceal.
“We are open for CBI enquiry, there is nothing to hide since we also we take this very seriously that’s why CM come up Judicial enquiry. We welcome,” Shylla said.
Defending the enforcement measures undertaken so far, the minister said the government had seized multiple trucks transporting coal and initially believed the consignments were part of previously mined and officially recorded stock.
“Since Government has act very seriously we have seized many trucks of coal and all, as you know there were coal lying which were mined in the past on record. We thought these were those coal, which were there and they were transporting it. But we were not aware of that there were fresh mining happening, that’s why I am saying even I was shocked to see when I went to that area to see that there are many fresh mining happening,” he said.
In a candid remark that could further intensify the debate, Shylla admitted he was personally shocked after visiting the area and witnessing signs of fresh mining, suggesting possible lapses at the ground level in difficult and remote terrain.
Rejecting allegations that the crackdown was limited to do called ‘small flies’, the Government Spokesperson said mine owners had also been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
“We are behind every body not leaving anybody. Those who are arrested and not some of the drivers and workers but they were some mine oners also have been arrested,” he said.
Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, Shylla said the government is determined to plug any loopholes and ensure accountability.
“We are trying our best to ensure there are no illegalities there. We have seen seizures are made from time to time. The area was very difficult. We are taking action against those who are involved. We have directed the SP and DC to take action,” he added.
