Shillong, Feb 10: For the second day in a row, a Deputy Chief Ministers of Meghalaya has been making all the right noises and promising action to stamp out illegal coal mining and bring those responsible to book.
Yesterday it was Prestone Tynsong and today was the turn of Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Meghalaya’s current moves to seize illegal coal have come in the wake of last week’s deadly explosion at a coal mine in Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills, which claimed the lives of at least 30 people.
Despite this action clearly being a reaction to the tragedy, Dhar stated brazenly that the government is taking “proactive” steps. As soon as he expressed condolences to the family members of those killed, a smile creeped into his face as he added that it is “not the time to play politics”, referring to the unceasing criticism the government has faced from all quarters after the disaster.
This bizarre performance by Dhar followed yesterday’s paradoxical statements by Tynsong, who said first that illegal mines are located in areas that are hard to reach for police (ignoring that labourers get into such places and the coal comes out easily enough) and that the police are facing a shortfall in personnel but there is still no reason to use central forces to crack down on illegal coal.
Dhar also said today that no one who indulges in illicit coal mining will be spared. When Highland Post uploaded video of his statements on social media, the comments were unforgiving, with most calling them a joke. The wittiest quip read, “Don’t need to go see Russel Peters (the Canadian comedian set to perform in Shillong) anymore. This guy just dropped the best joke of the year.”
When asked about the challenges faced by mine owners, particularly the requirement of a minimum 100 hectares for scientific mining, Dhar said the issue is under discussion with the Centre. He said several mine owners have submitted petitions stating that the 100 hectare requirement is too large and should be reduced.
“The Chief Minister has been taking up this matter with the Centre for the past year, requesting a reduction in the area so that local people can undertake scientific mining across the state,” Dhar said.
