Shillong, June 12: High Court of Meghalaya has asked the DGP to file further report on illegal coke plants and ferro alloys.
During the hearing on Monday, the court observed that the Director General of Police has filed an affidavit in which it has been mentioned, at paragraph 10 that “the actual owners/operators of the illegal coke plants … are mostly based in Assam and have been
running the illegal business in Meghalaya and several benami transactions have also come to light …”
According to the petitioner, the kingpins are well known and are roaming freely in Guwahati with all and sundry knowing of their whereabouts and their operations.
” It is hoped that the state police takes necessary steps in accordance with law and as expeditiously as possible. A further report may be filed by the DGP when the matter appears next three weeks hence”, the court said.
Justice Katakey has filed a 14th interim report, once again indicating the flourishing business in both coke oven and ferro alloy plants. According to the report, there are 13 coke oven plants in operation in the East Jaintia Hills and 38 further coke oven plants which are not in operation. In West Jaintia Hills and South West Khasi Hills there are two and six coke oven plants, respectively which are not in operation. In West Khasi Hills District there are four coke oven plants in operation and 61 others not in operation. In addition, there is one ferro alloy plant operation in the West Khasi Hills District. In Ri-Bhoi, though there are no coke oven plants, five out of seven ferro alloy plants are in operation.
Details have been furnished in paragraph 8 as to whether the operating coke oven plants have permission to operate or otherwise.
“It is difficult to accept that such information as furnished in Justice Katakey’s latest report would not be available to the state or the state would not do anything to check the operation of coke oven and ferro alloy plants that continue without any permission. The DGP’s next report should deal specifically with such aspect of the matter by referring to the findings and observations in Justice Katakey’s 14th interim report.”, the court said.
The petitioner can file an affidavit to deal with the contents of both the affidavits filed on June 8, 2023 by the DGP and the 14th interim report filed by Justice Katakey”, the court said.
The petitioner may furnish any additional information pertaining to the persons who are the real owners of the coke oven and ferro alloy plants in Meghalaya that are operating illegally.
“This order will not prevent plants which are operating with due permission to continue operations. However, the state must keep a strict vigil on such plants, particularly the source of coal obtained by such plants”, the court said.
The matter will come up for hearing on July 3.
