Why can't CM order probe in Barak Valley?

SILCHAR: Despite the growing public outcry against the illegal trade in black diamond (coal) across the Barak Valley, the trade has surfaced again after a brief respite. This has raised many intriguing questions in the society.

Pradip Dutta Roy, advocate of Gauhati High Court and former leader of ACKHSA (All Cachar-Karimganj and Hailakandi Students' Association), posed, "Why can't Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal — true to his commitment to 'Zero tolerance against corruption' — order a full-fledged probe into the illegal coal trade in the Barak Valley?"

Pradip Dutta Roy, vocal and eloquent leader, has hit the headlines of local media for his forthright critical views and observations on public issues, scams and scandals. His no-holds-barred attack on select political leaders and tradesmen has sent shivers down their spines. He openly named a top BJP leader of Cachar for being the mastermind of coal trade in the valley, and amassing huge wealth and property.

After being exposed in public, interestingly, the leader in question has been replaced by yet another powerful politician of Cachar.

Pradip Dutta Roy said, "What is most saddening is that the State exchequer is being deprived of its legitimate taxes which, by now, have crossed more than Rs 1,000 crore."

But, the illegal trade has to continue, no matter how it has sullied the image of BJP in Barak as a whole and its impact on the poll prospects of the party in 2021.

From the entry point of Malidahar on the Assam-Meghalaya border to Silchar and Karimganj, names of around 100 persons of all hues and professions, high and low, and 70 more unnamed have been listed for being involved in this money-churning business as documented in a report to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) which after some ground work could not proceed further. Reasons are unknown. A copy of the report is with The Sentinel.

At the Sutarkandi International Trade Centre in Karimganj, the latest report identifies a muscle -man, mastermind of many a murky business, now being inducted to browbeat the voices of those who dare to protest, pointed out Pradip Dutta Roy.

The most unfortunate part of all this illegal trade business is that the district administrations of Cachar and Karimganj have become silent spectators. There is the instance of a former Deputy Commissioner of Cachar having to leave for taking action against trucks carrying coal illegally from Meghalaya. They will therefore prefer to follow the proverbial escape route of 'running with the hare and hunting with the hound'.