Shillong, Jan 15: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday came under fire from Leader of Opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma in view of an order passed by the Supreme Court to stop transportation of extracted coal who said, “the court could no longer trust a state government.”

Infact the Supreme Court had allowed transportation of extracted coal in Meghalaya till January 31.

“Today’s (Tuesday) order of the Supreme Court shows that for the first time in the history of India after Independence, this court could no longer trust a state government. The leadership has to be held responsible and with this exposure, the leadership does not have both the moral and the legal right to continue in office,” Sangma said in a statement while slamming the state government for allegedly allowing illegal coal mining.

Earlier Conrad had denied that illegal mining was taking place in some parts of the state when the opposition Congress raised the issue in Assembly.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court while stopping transportation of extracted coal which will continue till February 19, pulled up the Meghalaya government as it could not stop illegal coal mining.

The Court has said that if transportation is allowed, illegal mining will continue and more tragedy might happen. “To stop that, both illegal mining and transportation should be stopped until the case is decided finally,” the Court said.

The Apex Court passed this order after taking into consideration reports that illegal mining was going on despite the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Meanwhile Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Y. Tsering has also issued a statement directing all concerned authorities to ensure compliance of the aforesaid directions of the Supreme Court without fail.

“In pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court as communicated by the Advocate General of Meghalaya, transportation of coal in the state is hereby stopped with immediate effect. All concerned authorities are hereby directed to ensure compliance of the aforesaid directions of the Supreme Court without fail,” the Chief Secretary said in a communiqué issued on Tuesday evening.