SHILLONG: In a report placed before the Meghalaya High Court, the Meghalaya Police informed that a probe into the setting up of illegal coke oven plants in the West Khasi Hills district’s Shallang area, it was found that the operators behind these unlawful operations are primarily based in Assam.
It was also informed that the police conducted raids to nab the culprits involved but it was not possible since they are from Assam.
Coke plants pose an environmental hazard, as noxious gases and smoke is discharged during the process of turning coal into coke at high temperatures in ovens built for the purpose.
The Director General of Police (DGP), LR Bishnoi informed about the revelations obtained during the investigation, which threw light on the fact that the illegal coke plants are being operated by the real owners and operators primarily located in Assam.
Moreover, several benami transactions were uncovered during the probe in the ongoing case, leading to the authorities requesting for the inclusion of Section 53(1) of the Benami Prohibition Act, 2016.
It was also stated by the DGP that land belonging to the Sohbar clan was being used to operate the illegal coke plants.
He also said a notice has been issued to the manager or agent of the clan, under Section 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC),
The investigation also found that the land owned by 32 individuals, all of whom are females and primarily elderly women, was used to operate the illegal coke oven plants, according to the DGP’s affidavit.
The DGP informed that the police have issued notices under Section 41A CrPC to the individuals involved, with a majority of the 28 persons based in Assam and only a few residing in Meghalaya.
Although raids were carried out in both Assam and Meghalaya to nab these individuals, they have eluded capture and are currently on the run.
No arrests could be made by the police so far. The authorities said that they intended to start appropriate action under Sections 82 and 83 of the CrPC, in the event that the accused individuals not located soon.
It was also stated that a total of 57 illegal coke oven plants were shut down in Shallang in December 2022.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered under Sections 188/34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act. The Forest and Environment Department also asked for the inclusion of additional sections, including 379 and 120B of the IPC, Section 3(1) with 21 of the MMDR Act, 1957, Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and Section 3 of the Explosives Substance Act, 1908, in the FIR.
Earlier in May, the court had expressed its displeasure at the state’s efforts to combat the menace of illegal coke plants and ordered them to identify the individuals responsible for the establishment of such units and take proper legal action against them.
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