Shillong, Oct 26: Meghalaya leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma on Friday alleged that illegal mining took place after the formation of the new Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, which he also linked to the transfer of officers.

“After the formation of this new government, there has been reaction from the people including some NGOs that have gone to the Supreme Court seeking intervention into the allegations that illegal mining is still taking place,” Mukul said.

Coal mining is being banned in Meghalaya by the National Green Tribunal since April 17, 2014.

“As opposition what we have tried to find out is that there are a number of developments that have taken place after the formation of the new government. Officers were transferred left and right not just the officers of one department and the officers may be linked to the implementation of the NGT orders and directives based on the Supreme Court ruling,” he said.

He said that the manner in which the government has acted upon, there was a reason to believe that they were trying to pressurize officers to engage in facilitating illegal mining.

Narrating the transfer of officers, the leader of Opposition said that after the director of mining and geology was removed, one officer who was the joint secretary (mining and geology) was posted.

“Subsequently, this officer was shunted out and they brought somebody else. What is the reason and why the second officer was again transferred within a short period of time?” he asked.

Demanding that proper investigation should be initiated to find out what has happened after the third officer was posted, Mukul asked, “Has anything happened because of the pressure from the people who are in power (ministers)? One must remember that mining and geology is also being held by the chief minister himself and there is a need to find out what has happened after the removal and transfer of the second director.”

The former chief minister further slammed the MDA government over the transfer of officers including block development officers and superintendents of police and sub ordinate officers.

“The purpose of every transfer and posting are in the interest of the public. Has there been any public complaint or perception that these officers were not delivering in the interest of public? Has it come to that level?” he asked.

He also said that when somebody was posted as block development officer, much time was needed to acclimatize and understand the problem of rural areas and get connected with the people.

“But suddenly within two or three months you transfer the BDO for whose interest? How many BDOs have been transferred recently who have posted with expectations to serve the people who belong to the most vulnerable group. Is it for the interest of somebody else who wanted to do business in certain block? This does not augur well for the state. If deputy commissioners, SPs, BDOs are shifted again and again, it will be a disastrous for the state,”