Shillong, Feb 21: In an intensified enforcement and crackdown drive on illegal coal mining and transport, the East Jaintia Hills district police seized 12 coal-laden trucks on the night of February 20.
The enforcement drive, which started on January 1, was intensified after the February 5 incident at Thangkso. So far, 17,322 MT of coal have been seized and 94 FIRs have been registered. The police have made 22 arrests and seized 25.5 kg of explosives.
The February 5 blast in an illegal coal mine affected two more mines and killed 34 mine workers so far. A Special Investigating Team is already probing the incident.
However, the state government did not allow any discussion on the matter during the ongoing Budget Session, saying the matter was subjudice. This was despite the opposition seeking a debate on this.
ALSO READ:
‘Legal technicalities shouldn’t be a shield for executive accountability’
