SHILLONG:
BJP leader and former cabinet minister AL Hek on Friday slammed the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government for failing to take action against illegal mining and transportation of coal.
Speaking to reporters, Hek said he has been getting complaints from exporters that illegal coal mining is still happening in the state.
“Recently I came from Mairang on January 18, I saw two illegal trucks collapsed in 5th Mile (Upper Shillong). This (illegal transportation of coal) is happening openly but the government is not taking any action,” he added.
When asked, the BJP leader reiterated the demand for immediate setting up of an independent probe into the illegal coal trade in the state. “We have been demanding for an independent probe to see that this kind of things should not happen in our state,” he said.
Hek, who is also adviser to Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, recalled that when he was cabinet minister, several meetings were held in the Deputy Chief Minister’s office to urge Conrad and others to stop illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state.