Shillong, Feb 3: Taking a strong line against repeated illegal mining incidents, authorities from East Jaintia Hills district on Wednesday launched a series of raids on suspected illegal coal mining areas and confiscated several machines and equipment suspected to be used for mining purposes along with three vehicles believed to be used for transportation of coal.

In a press statement issued here, the Assistant Inspector General of Police of Meghalaya Police, (A) G.K. Iangrai informed that a joint inspection team comprising of Executive Magistrates and Police of East Jaintia Hills district conducted several operations in suspected illegal coal mining areas under Umpleng and Sakhain village.

“During the raid, equipment which are suspected to be utilised for mining purposes have been seized and three vehicles which are suspected to be transporting coal have also been seized.

A criminal case under Khliehriat Police Station has been registered and investigation on the case is in progress,” stated the government release.

The raid on suspected illegal coal mining areas comes in the wake of a recent mining tragedy on January 21st in which 6 migrant labourers died.

The incident led to widespread criticism of the state government from various NGOs alleging that the government had not come clean on illegal coal mining and coal transportation.