SHILLONG, FEB 9: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Prestone Tynsong has assured that the state government is taking aggressive action to curb illegal coal mining in Meghalaya.
“We have already directed the district administration to go all out and make sure all those illegal activities be immediately stopped,” Tynsong told reporters on Monday.
“Whatever incidents that has happened, action is taken. I guess you must have seen it in record, we have tried our best but now again this incident which has happened recently, you knew it well the interior places, I think from the mainroad it takes you even by four wheelers three-four hours, so you know the topography, the challenges that even the police personnel faced. Therefore, as I said to you especially with the season, we are going agressively, after the incident had happened,” he assured.
Tynsong stated that the government will file affidavits in the High Court within ten days, but refrained from commenting further as the matter is sub-judice.
“Let the High Court take whatever necessary steps from their side,” he added.
Regarding the recent mine blast incident that claimed 27 lives, the deputy chief minister said action has been taken, with two arrests made so far.
“We will continue to do that, especially during this dry season, to make sure that the illegal activity is stopped,” he assured.
“We have already arrested two persons..,police are on the job to find out how many are involved in the incident. Therefore, let the police find out the numbers of miners involved in illegal coal mining activities.”
On the issue of manpower shortage and whether government will seek central forces for manning the illegal coal mines , Tynsong said the state is managing with existing resources and plans to fill over 3,000 vacancies in the police department soon.
“I am very sure once this issue (process of recruitment) is done, we will at least be manageable to handle things,” he said.
Asked if there is any timeframe fixed to close down over 22,000 abandoned coal mines in the district, Tynsong responded saying, “The question of timeframe does not arise because any illegalities happened may be tomorrow or day after tomorrow we are growing all out to close it.”
Regarding the opposition’s demand for the resignation of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma, Tynsong said. “Anything you can demand. Sometimes you can demand that Prestone also should resign so that is there but let me tell you one thing we take whole responsibility to make sure that these illegalities stopped immediately.”
Meanwhile, the search and rescue operation is ongoing, with no further bodies recovered as of now.
“The concerned personnel are still on the ground to see if there are any more dead bodies trapped inside the mine,” Tynsong said.
