The Meghalaya High Court has directed Director General of Police Lajja Ram Bishnoi to trace and arrest all the owners and operators of illegal coke plants in the State.
The full bench of the High Court passed the order today during the hearing of a PIL filed by Shailendra Kumar Sharma.
“It is hoped that the State police takes necessary steps in accordance with law and as expeditiously as possible,” the High Court said while also directing the DGP to file a report on the matter at the next hearing scheduled on July 3.
It may be noted that the DGP in his earlier affidavit filed before the High Court had stated that “the actual owners/operators of the illegal coke plants are mostly based in Assam and have been running the illegal business in Meghalaya and several Benami transactions have also come to light.”
However, Sharma told the court that the kingpins are well known and are roaming freely in Guwahati with all and sundry knowing of their whereabouts and their operations.
Meanwhile, Justice Katakey has filed a 14th interim report, once again indicating the flourishing business in both coke oven and ferro alloy plants.
According to the report, there are 13 coke oven plants in operation in the East Jaintia Hills and 38 further coke oven plants which are not in operation. In West Jaintia Hills and South West Khasi Hills there are two and six coke oven plants, respectively, which are not in operation. In West Khasi Hills District there are four coke oven plants in operation and 61 others not in operation. In addition, there is one ferro alloy plant operation in the West Khasi Hills District.
In Ri-Bhoi, though there are no coke oven plants, five out of seven ferro alloy plants are in operation.
Expressing displeasure with the failure of the State government to act against coke oven and ferro alloy plants that continue without any permission, the High Court said that the DGP’s next report should deal specifically with such aspect of the matter by referring to the findings and observations in Justice Katakey’s 14th interim report.
The High Court also permitted the petitioner (Sharma) to file an affidavit to deal with the contents of both the affidavit filed on June 8 by the DGP and the 14th interim report filed by Justice Katakey.
The court also asked Sharma to furnish any additional information pertaining to the persons who are the real owners of the coke oven and ferro alloy plants in Meghalaya that are operating illegally.
“This order will not prevent plants which are operating with due permission to continue operations. However, the State must keep a strict vigil on such plants, particularly the source of coal obtained by such plants,” the High Court said.
