Shillong, Sep 3: The Justice (retd) BP Katakey committee, appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya, has submitted its latest report.
The report is based on status updates from the Mining and Geology Department dated August 19, 2026, and responses from the Police Department and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board on the implementation of recommendations made in the Committee’s 38th and 39th reports.
On the investigation into a fatal incident in an illegal coal mine in Thangsko, the committee said more than six months have elapsed and the police need to expedite collection of pending postmortem reports and file final reports before the appropriate court.
Regarding cases registered between 2023 and 2026, the Committee observed that despite seizure of 92 items of equipment and 62 vehicles, only one application under Sections 21(4) and 21(4A) of the MMDR Act for confiscation proceedings has been filed, in East Jaintia Hills in 2026.
It also noted that except for one case in the same district, no action has been initiated against landowners, and action has been taken against only three coal mine owners, all in East Jaintia Hills this year.
The committee has asked the investigating agency to expedite pending investigations and file confiscation applications without further delay.
Katakey directed the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) to take action under the SOP against successful bidders who have not paid outstanding demurrage charges despite notices, and to submit a report within 15 days.
It also sought status reports within 15 days on the conversion of the temporary DMR check-gate at Mendipathar into a round-the-clock smart check-gate, and on the integration of the Transport Department’s check-gate near the integrated smart check-gate at Dainadubi.
The Committee said maintaining two gates in close proximity increases cost and hampers efforts to curb illegal mining and transportation, and asked a Transport Department representative to attend the next meeting.
A status report was also sought within 15 days on setting up integrated smart DMR check-gates on the Nongalbibra-Mendipathar railway station, Rongjeng-Dainadubi and Nongalbibra-Goalpara roads, as well as at Athiabari in South West Khasi Hills and near Mendipathar Railway Station. Equipment for these gates has already been procured.
The report further referred to a road accident on August 24, 2026 at Mawiong involving a coal-laden truck.
According to the East Khasi Hills SP, the truck’s manager claimed it was carrying auctioned coal but could not produce a valid Mineral Transit Challan for the vehicle or for a replacement vehicle.
The Committee said a detailed enquiry is needed to determine if the coal was auctioned or illegally mined and whether SOPs were followed, and asked the Police Department to submit a status report within 15 days.
