Shillong, July 29: Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla said heavy rainfall in Meghalaya could be a possible reason for the disappearance of over 4,000 metric tons of coal, as indicated in the 31st interim report submitted by Justice (Retd) BP Katakey before the Meghalaya High Court recently.

According to him, the state’s high rainfall could have led to the coal being carried away, making it difficult to determine whether the disappearance was due to natural causes or illegal activities.

On July 25, the Meghalaya High Court had directed the State to take action and hold accountable the persons or officials under whose watch a large quantity of coal (over 4000 metric tons) has disappeared from Rajaju and Diengngan villages and to trace the persons who have lifted the same illegally.

“I am not trying to justify myself or for the state. I just like to remind you that Meghalaya is one state which is having the highest rainfall and… (because of this) anything can happen. If you remember there was one allegation mentioning that because of the soil and because of the rain in Meghalaya flood happened in Assam and especially in East Jaintia Hills, all the waters (from the district) goes to Bangladesh. You never know because of the rain it (coal) got carried away. Chances are very high since the state has the highest rainfall,” Shylla told reporters while responding to a query on the issue.

The minister however stated that he does not have sufficient details to confirm whether the disappearance was due to illegal practices or natural causes.

“But still, I cannot say. I cannot blame just the rain. It could be or it could not be there. I really don’t have any kind of details with me to say whether there is anything illegal but since we have the authority to look after this, there should not be any kind of illegal practices when it comes to mining or transportation of coal or whatever it is. It should be done as per law,” he said while adding “That is what I feel and receiving the highest rainfall it is difficult to say whether it is carried by the rain or it is carried by any kind of (illegal) transportation.”

On the allegation of ongoing illegal coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya, Shylla however said there is need for concrete evidence to substantiate these claims adding there are various line departments that are responsible for investigating such allegations and determining the facts.

“But I believe that our people if it is for survival they might do it illegally otherwise nobody wants to do any kind of illegal methods where it can hamper the state or just for enjoyment they will not do any kind of illegalities,” he said.

The minister informed that the government’s announcement of scientific mining is well-received by the people, and they will not engage in illegal activities that could attract legal repercussions

“I believe our people will not do such kind of illegalities as they are much happy especially with the announcement of the chief minister regarding with the scientific mining where we all are happy to welcome it and we all want to see the light of day with this scientific mining so I believe our people will not do anything where the court or the law will have a chance to point fingers at us,” he stated.

Regarding the inconveniences due to ongoing construction of the national highway (NH-6), Shylla viewed road construction and the resulting dust and debris as signs of development in the state.

“I really appreciate this government for taking the initiative to bring development to East Jaintia Hills and different parts of our state. As of now, it is difficult but, in the end, after everything is completed, we will forget all this and enjoy the benefits of the development brought by the government,” he stated.

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