Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has refuted allegations made by alliance partner the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that illegal coal transportation is going on in the state.
Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting today, Sangma said, “Whenever one sees movement of trucks on the National Highway, people come to the natural conclusion that it is illegal movement [of coal].”
“It’s very easy to make allegations,” he said when asked about the BJP claims on the issue. “But police have been told to make sure that no such activities take place,” he added while saying that the public need to change their mindset.
Frequent meetings take place in the government between police, Deputy Commissioners and Transport Department to ensure that there are no illegalities, the CM said. Integrated checkpoints equipped with modern technology are being set up to scrutinize the transport of coal, as per the directions of the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal.
Sangma also said that no trucks without the proper documentation are allowed to ply, which means that all those on the roads have the necessary paperwork.
