A committee appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya has found evidence of illegal mining and transportation of coal in the State’s South Garo Hills district.
The panel, headed by retired judge B. P. Katakey, was appointed in April 2022 to recommend measures to the Meghalaya government in compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which banned the hazardous rat-hole coal mining in April 2014.
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“Coal is coming from somewhere, and mining is taking place. This conclusion is based on available information, which will be included in my report to the High Court of Meghalaya,” Justice Katakey said after a meeting on Tuesday to address the implementation of measures to curb illegal mining in the State.
Earlier, all District Magistrates in Meghalaya were instructed to report the quantity of coal seized between November 2024 and January. Most district heads denied any mining activities within their jurisdictions, but the District Magistrate of South Garo Hills reported the seizure of more than 2,500 metric tonnes of illegal coal during the period.
The committee received seven complaints, one accompanied by a video clip, about illegal mining, which is currently under investigation. Justice Katakey said notices have been issued concerning some of these complaints, and the department concerned has been directed to record statements from the parties involved.
He said the State government was asked to audit the coal sources used for coke, ferroalloys, and power generation by the cement plants. The cement companies were asked to pay ₹400 crore, a decision challenged by the Supreme Court.
Justice Katakey also said the committee is awaiting a report on an aerial survey to identify active rat-hole coal mines. The survey report, covering six locations, is expected by February 28.
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Meanwhile, the Gauhati High Court issued notices to the Assam government in connection with the coal mine mishap in Dima Hasao district’s Umrangso area on January 6. The bodies of four of the nine miners trapped in the ill-fated mine have been recovered so far.
The court also issued notice to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the relevant departments, fixing February 7 as the date of the hearing.
