Shillong, Jan 15: Two groups from Garo Hills region have written to Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma and demanded for the constitution of an enquiry, into the alleged collection of money from coal trucks by various authorities along the National Highway 62 and other illegalities in the region.
The Garo Indigenous Development Federation (GIDF) and Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) have alleged that the police, All Coal truck Owners Association of Nangal & Goalpara, Coal Monopoly Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, State Dainadubi Forest, State District Mineral Resource are involved in collection of money from coal trucks.
They have also urged the government to set up an enquiry committee against the transportation of overloaded coal and cattle, carrying of invalid documents by the truck owners and selling of mineral transport challan at high price.
The GIDF and GSMC also alleged that Mineral Transport Challan is being sold for Rs. 75, 000 to 80, 000 openly in the Dainadubi area.
The GIDF and the GSMC said that due to plying of overloaded trucks carrying, coal, cement, boulders and other commercial items, National Highway-62, has been damaged.
“The department concerned seems not be to be bothered by the illegalities and the road is now in a dilapidated condition. It is also understood that maximum number of coal and other commercial trucks which plies through National Highway 62 does not have valid documents
Meanwhile, the GIDF and the GSMC also alleged that despite the ban on coal mining the mineral is being illegally mined especially in Shallang, West Khasi Hills district.
“Shallang area seems to be mining illegally producing huge amount of coal for coke factories,†the GIDF and GSMC said.
They alleged that trucks carrying 48-50 tonnes ply from Shallang via Riangdo, Athiabari to Assam as well as Shallang, Rongjeng via Dainadubi to Assam.
The GIDF and the GSMC also alleged that there are rampant cattle smuggling through Assam via Meghalaya to Bangladesh.
“Traders cannot carry more than 200 kilograms per truck. But the smugglers load double the number of cattle into the trucks and transport them in an inhuman manner, causing injury to the cows,†the GIDF and GSMC said.
