Nine held for illegal mining in Meghalays

At least nine persons were arrested for allegedly violating the National Green Tribunal ban on mining and transportation of coal in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, police said today.
"We have arrested nine labourers involved in illegal mining of coal in the past one week and seized six trucks involved in illegal transportation of coal," SP M K Dkhar said.
The arrest was made after they were caught red handed involving in taking out coal from coal mines during raids conducted by additional district magistrates, he said.
District authorities in at least two districts where coal mines are located have imposed section 144 CrPC prohibiting mining of coal in violation of the NGT order passed in April last year.

Banned by the NGT for mining since April last year, transportation of coal was allowed for those which the expert committee had assessed the quantity and whose royalty had been paid to the government.
The NGT will conduct its next hearing tomorrow here in the state capital.