Voice of the People Party MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit voiced opposition against the reported move of the state government to terminate the service of Justice (Retd) BP Katakey, the head of the one-man committee looking into illegal coal mining and transportation in the state.
Raising the issue in the Assembly by way of a cut motion, Basaiawmoit said the government should not interfere in his work, which is mandated by a High Court-appointed committee.
Since his appointment in April 2022, Justice Katakey has submitted multiple interim reports confirming the continued existence of illegal coal mining and transportation in the state.
Basaiawmoit argued that this was not the first instance of interference in independent investigations, citing previous dismissal of Lokayukta officials for carrying out their duties. He suggested that Katakey’s findings might expose high-level collusion between politicians and coal syndicates.
In reply, Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “The Justice heading the committee has been appointed by the Meghalaya High Court and it is not within my mandate nor the mandate of the state government to discuss this matter as it is subjudice”.
