Move to stop illegal coal transport: Centre seeks time for deployment of CAPF

The Centre has sought for time to respond to the Meghalaya High Court’s order for deployment of 10 companies of central armed police force (CAPF) to arrest the transportation of illegally mined coal in the state.

Hearing a PIL on the matter here today, the full bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said, “The Union seeks time. Let the matter appear a fortnight hence.”

Earlier in its order passed on April 12, the Court had stated “and the Union Ministry of Home, through the Union Home Secretary, is directed to ensure the deployment of 10 companies of the appropriate Central Armed Police Force to be commanded independently or jointly by the officers from the local police that may be selected by the Court, strictly for the purpose of keeping a vigil on the roads and arresting the illegal transportation of illegally mined coal in the State.”

The Court had also directed the Union to respond on this through the Secretary.

Meanwhile, the Court has also directed, “In the meantime, considering the inadequate ad hoc payments released till now to Justice Katakey, let a further sum of Rs. 3 lakh be paid immediately, in addition to the secretarial expenses for which the directions have been previously issued.”

The next hearing will be held on May 15, 2023.

Pala praises Tynsong for stopping illegal coal trade

Opposition Congress chief Vincent H Pala has lauded the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong for ending the “high level”, which is alleged to be involved in the illegal transportation of coal in the state.

“I appreciate Tynsong for changing the “high level” to a “zero level” as of today. Since Tynsong took over the Home (Police) department, there is no more high level,” Pala said.

“People engaging in the coal business told him that there is no more high level after Tynsong took over the department as he has ended the high level. Therefore, I don’t want to just blame without reason since I know that soon after Tynsong took over, all high levels have come to an end in the state,” he added.

The Shillong MP said that the illegal activities to some extent are not like before when the government is involved.

“Now illegal activities have been minimized to a great extent as who would want to indulge in illegal activities if challans are being issued (for transportation of coal),” he stated.

The Congress chief further informed that now people are transporting coal with proper challans since Coal India Limited (CIL) has auctioned the coal.

“Many friends who are doing coal business are transporting coal with proper challans and many including cement plants are buying the auctioned coal. They say that the transportation is now is of auctioned coal not of illegal coal,” he said.

On the Meghalaya High Court’s order for the deployment of 10 companies of CAPF personnel to check illegal transportation of coal in the state, Pala however said the cooperation of the state government is needed otherwise there is no point.

“If they send (the CAPF) also if there is no coordination with the state government, there is no point. The cooperation of the state government is needed,” he added.

Govt assures stop to illegal coal transportation

Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong assured that the state police will ensure illegal mining and transportation of coal is stopped at any cost.

Tynsong told reporters that one needs to understand that even if the state police are present 24×7, criminal activities still keep on happening.

“We don’t know when the thief is coming to our house so you need to understand that. You know humanly speaking we are trying our best and we will make sure that illegal mining activities stop at any cost,” he said.

On the Meghalaya High Court’s order for the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to check illegal transportation of coal in Meghalaya, Tynsong however said the state police is equipped enough to handle the situation in the state.

“Let me assure the people of the state that the state police are equipped enough to handle any situation,” he added.

If the government would appeal against the court order, the deputy chief minister however said, “That I can’t say anything right now because in fact a letter has been sent even to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the concerned organization where ultimately they are not able to provide additional forces.”

On March 20, the Meghalaya High Court asked the CISF to indicate its readiness to check the illegal transportation of coal in Meghalaya.

While hearing a PIL, the Court was informed that the logistics to be prepared for the deployment of 10 companies of CISF would take at least four weeks. It was also informed that CISF will be proceeding on the basis that the deployment would be necessary for at least two to three years before the State augments its human resources to take over the task.

Since the selection of personnel, arrangement of even temporary accommodation and the like may require some time, it is hoped that a disciplined force as the CISF indicates within a fortnight from the date as to how deployment on the ground can be ensured within four weeks from today.

The Court had said that since the State had indicated plans to construct or otherwise provide accommodation for CAPF personnel, the State should cooperate in the process and provide basic accommodation to the CISF personnel, including the commandants of the companies.

It had also directed that CISF should identify or engage one or more persons to be in charge by rotation and said, “Such personnel should obtain an appointment with Justice Katakey and, in the presence of representatives of the State, work out the places and modalities for ultimately deploying the 10 companies.”