SHILLONG, Oct 30: Allegations have emerged that Bangladeshi nationals are reportedly involved in illegal coal mining within Indian territory and are transporting the mined coal back to Bangladesh. This claim was detailed in the 25th interim report of the Justice (retd) BP Katakey Committee, as conveyed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of the South West Khasi Hills district, who oversees the Ranikor civil subdivision bordering Bangladesh.
The ADC revealed that illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh have been mining coal in remote locations, and there have been prior incidents of coal theft attributed to them. He mentioned the existence of several abandoned coal mines that could easily be exploited by these miners. “The coal mining region in the district spans a very remote and extensive area, with challenging terrain that is mostly inaccessible to standard vehicles,” the ADC noted.
Recognizing the difficulties in maintaining continuous oversight of illegal mining operations, the ADC proposed sealing off the entrances to some abandoned mines to deter their reopening. He suggested that technical assistance and logistical support should be provided to effectively secure these sites.
Furthermore, the ADC called for “strict directives” to be issued to police stations and outposts in the coal-producing areas, emphasizing that officers should be held accountable if illegal mining is discovered in the future. Allegations of collusion between illegal coal miners, police, and politicians continue to surface.
In light of these concerns, the committee urged the state government to promptly decide on a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) to prevent the illegal transportation of coal mined in Meghalaya disguised as coal sourced from outside the state. Additional recommendations included identifying suitable locations for a smart integrated check gate, conducting regular aerial surveys of the affected regions, and facilitating meetings between the Mining and Geology Department and the North East Space Application Centre for aerial surveillance.
