Another written complaint was today lodged with Chief Secretary, Rebecca V Suchiang accusing a company in Assam of transporting illegally mined coal from Meghalaya to Bangladesh.
The Constitutional Rights Forum (CRF) had sought immediate stop on the transport of coal being permitted by the district of South Garo Hills, alleging the coal is being illegally mined.
Earlier, the A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) had made the same complaint against the company, Jai Maa Coal Pvt Ltd of Beltola, Guwahati, to export and transport coal that originated outside Meghalaya to Bangladesh via the Gasuapara Land Customs Station in Garo Hills.
Permission had also been given by the Deputy Commissioner of South Garo Hills to Maruti Fuel Dudnoi Assam Coal Exporters to transport coal through the district en route to Gasuapara.
CRF, in its complaint, has urged the CS for action against the commissioner of transport, director of mining and geology as well as the deputy commissioner for allowing the illegal acts to continue.
The forum alleged that the coal that was being transported into Bangladesh was not being brought from the state but was being mined from the district of South Garo Hills itself.
“The company is not transporting coal from Assam but from our district itself. This coal is being mined illegally. They are transporting coal from the villages of Rongding Awe, Dangsa Awe, Rongsa Awe, Gare Gittim and Are Gittim,” said CRF president, Francis R Marak.
Earlier the DMR had issued challans in the name of successful bidder, Babul Marak for the coal that has been lying in the district in the above mentioned villages. This, they added was the coal that is being transported with freshly dug, illegal coal being added on a daily basis.
The continued transport of coal, as per the CRF has also been affecting the road, which though a National Highway, is still like a village road.
“The road cannot take the heavy loads that these trucks are carrying and is thus being damaged. This has caused immense suffering to the people of the area. The road needs to be immediately upgraded,” added CRF secretary, Greneth Sangma.
The CRF further alleged that the entire coal transport was taking place with the help of colluding government officials and politicians. The illegal transport, they asserted, would also cause a huge loss to the state exchequer.
“There are no checks on the number of trucks or the quantity of coal being transported as there is no system in place to do so. This has given scope for manipulation for both illegal mining and transport. We therefore seek a spot inquiry to verify the information and action against those colluding officers,” added the CRF press note.
