SHILLONG, Sept 15: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said the government is leaving no stone unturned to stop illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state.
Apart from punitive penal actions, the district administration is taking all possible steps to stop illegal mining and whenever such cases are detected, strong actions under various provisions of IPC and MMDR Act, 1957 are being taken against violators, Sangma said in his reply to the call attention brought by Mawlai legislator PT Sawkmie on the recent mining tragedy where one coal labourer died while another was injured in West Khasi Hills district.
He said the district administration is also taking preventive actions for preventing illegal mining by increasing patrolling including drone surveillance by the police.
The chief minister also informed that the Department of Mining and Geology has recommended ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased (L) Lopendro Sangma as per recommendation of the NGT Committee for other similar cases and Rs 50,000 for Hendid Momin, resident of Ugur Village in North Garo Hills.
In addition, the Deputy Commissioner has deputed HK Thabah, ADC, and L Kharmon, EAC in-charge Mawshynrut civil sub-division, to conduct enquiry into the said mine accident.
The magisterial report confirmed the mine accident that occurred on August 19. It further said that the mine owner Hubert R Sangma was clandestinely operating the mine when the mine tragedy took place.
On August 23, the Director of Mineral Resources, Mining Engineer, Mining Officer of Mining & Geology department, accompanied by D Mawlein police inspector in-charge Mawshynrut visited the site to get first hand information about the place of occurrence.
The place where the accident happened is located in a very remote and very inaccessible area in West Khasi Hills.
To reach Urak, the officers first have to travel to Riangdim village by four wheel drive vehicles. It took them one hour and forty five minutes from Shallang to Riangdim, due to very bad road conditions. From Riangdim to Urak they have to walk on foot for another one hour thirty minutes.
An FIR has been filed against the mine owner at Shallang police station. The police has arrested Hubert R Sangma, mine owner, and the investigation is on.
