Shillong, Feb 9: The transportation of coal in the dead of night through South Garo Hills, as alleged by two pressure groups in December, had been legal, police told the BP Katakey committee on coal.
In a joint letter, local units of the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) wrote that 50 to 60 heavy trucks transporting coal rumble along the Jadi to Gasuapara stretch, including the Dangsa-Awe Karongre stretch, of National Highway 217 every night.
Based on news reports that covered this allegation, Justice (retd) Katakey directed police to inquire into the claims.
The police submitted a report to the committee wherein they stated that the average number of trucks was 40-50 and that they were not travelling on a daily basis. The trucks were carrying coal from designated coal depot No. 10 at Jadigittim to the Gasuapara Land Customs Station for export to Bangladesh by George S Marak, who bought the coal at auction.
The police also said that all necessary documents, such as weighment slip, challans and export clearance, were in order.
Justice Katakey accepted the report and “did not find any material to proceed further on the aforesaid allegation”, he said in the 35th interim report of the committee, which was issued on January 27.
The pressure groups had also claimed that the trucks were overloaded based on the damage they appeared to be causing to the road. However, this point was not mentioned in the interim report.
