Meghalaya High Court seeks report on illegal coal mining

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday asked the State Government to file an independent report regarding the illegal coal mining in the State.

A Division Bench of the High Court stated that an independent report should be filed by the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of the State, preferably after visiting the areas concerned, when this matter is heard again after a week.

"It is made clear that the matter complained of needs to be looked into, without any political interference; or else, the Court may be constrained to appoint a fact-finding committee or even put a special investigation team in place or take the assistance of some agency so that the matter is appropriately and thoroughly investigated in accordance with law and the persons involved are brought to book."

The High Court took cognizance of media reports for several months regarding the illegal coal mining in the State.

The High Court also said that as per media reports, it appears that a complaint has been lodged in this regard by the Nokma of Nengchigen in West Khasi Hills against certain persons, including the police, alleging widespread illegal mining of coal within the clan lands.

"It is imperative that the matter be immediately looked into," the High Court said.

The next hearing into the case will be held on March 2.

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