SHILLONG: The Meghalaya unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its demand for a full-fledged investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into what it describes as widespread illegal coal mining and transportation across the state. The party alleged that despite persistent complaints and mounting evidence, the state government has failed to act decisively against the expanding network behind the illegal trade.
State BJP vice-president and Tura MDC Bernard Marak, who heads the party’s committee probing coal-related violations, said the committee has already submitted its first report to the central government, while work on a more detailed second report is underway. According to Marak, the initial inquiry in Garo Hills uncovered allegations of cash payments being made to various officials to allow illegal coal movement.
He claimed that the committee’s findings point to a “well-organised system” in which police personnel allegedly receive ₹4,000 per truck, deputy commissioners ₹1,000, and MLAs ₹2,800, enabling trucks to pass unchecked. Marak said the scale of the racket is apparent when “around 60 trucks move in a day but challans are issued for only two,” calling the discrepancy “too large to be ignored.”
Marak said the committee is collecting “ground-level evidence” from active quarries to identify the precise locations of illegal extraction. “Whenever we raise the issue, the government denies it. But the scale of the illegal activity is an open secret,” he asserted. He added that high-profile individuals may be involved and that concrete evidence is being gathered on how money changes hands and which routes are being used to transport coal without documentation.
He emphasised that the committee is prioritising hard proof. “Without solid evidence, the government will not act. That is why we are focusing on verifiable data that can be placed before both state and central authorities,” Marak said.
The BJP leader pointed out that if coal movement were conducted legally, it would generate substantial revenue for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Instead, illegal mining and transport are depriving the council of funds. He said an FIR has already been filed in the matter and cited evidence of trucks either moving without challans or carrying loads far above permissible limits.
Marak further alleged that the state government has “encroached on the district council’s revenue sources” while failing to prevent illegal operations even within areas under the council’s jurisdiction. He said district council staff attempting to check suspicious trucks have reportedly been stopped from doing their duty. “Tribal institutions are being systematically exploited,” he said.
Despite his strong criticism, Marak said the party still hopes the state machinery will act. “We continue to trust the state institutions, which is why complaints are being submitted here first. But if no action is taken, we will be compelled to submit all evidence directly to the Centre. The government’s response will reveal who is shielding whom,” he remarked.
The BJP reiterated that illegal coal extraction and transportation “cannot be allowed to continue,” and stressed that central intervention, including an ED investigation, may become necessary if the state government does not take corrective steps.
The Meghalaya BJP had formed a 10-member fact-finding committee in February to investigate coal-related irregularities. The panel, initially given 40 days to complete its work, was later granted an extension after disruptions affected its field visits and data collection.
The party maintains that unless stringent action is taken, illegal coal operations will continue to flourish “unchecked and unchallenged” in Meghalaya.
