Meghalaya BJP Demands ED Probe into Illegal Coal Racket, Alleges Police-MLA-DC Nexus

Shillong: The Meghalaya unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday stepped up its attack on the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) government, demanding an immediate Enforcement Directorate investigation into large-scale illegal coal mining and transportation across the state, particularly in the Garo Hills region.

State BJP vice-president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak, who heads the party’s special committee on illegal coal mining, disclosed that the panel has already submitted its preliminary report to the Union government and is preparing a detailed second report with “irrefutable evidence”.

According to findings shared by Marak, a well-organised syndicate is paying fixed bribes to facilitate every illegal coal truck:
- ₹4,000 to local police personnel
- ₹2,800 to certain MLAs
- ₹1,000 to the office of the Deputy Commissioner

He cited instances where up to 60 trucks move daily from mining sites but official records show challans issued for only one or two vehicles, pointing to massive under-reporting and collusion.

“The entire operation is an open secret, yet the state government continues to live in denial,” Marak said, adding that his team is collecting ground-level evidence directly from active quarries, transport routes and weighbridges.

The BJP leader accused the Conrad Sangma government of deliberately weakening autonomous district councils by allowing illegal mining in council-controlled areas while preventing council officials from inspecting overloaded or unchallaned trucks. “This is systematic exploitation of tribal institutions and deprivation of legitimate revenue to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council,” he charged.

An FIR has already been registered, and photographic and documentary evidence of illegal transportation is in the committee’s possession, Marak said.

Warning of escalation, he stated, “We still trust the state machinery, so complaints are being filed here first. But if no credible action is taken soon, we will hand over the complete dossier directly to the Centre and push for a full ED probe to expose everyone benefiting from this multi-crore racket.”

The 10-member fact-finding committee was formed in February 2025 and granted an extension after its initial 40-day deadline to gather comprehensive proof.

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