Meghalaya probing disappearance of coal from depots

The Meghalaya authorities has begun probing the disappearance of three,960.95 metric tonnes of coal from two designated depots, the State’s Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong mentioned on Saturday (August 2, 2025).

Authorities within the Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts had been directed to conduct an intensive investigation, Mr. Tynsong mentioned. According to a report submitted by Justice (retired) B.P. Katakey Committee to the High Court of Meghalaya in July, the coal was discovered lacking from the Diengngan and Rajaju villages in these two districts.

The High Court had appointed the committee to evaluate the extent of unlawful mining and transportation of coal in Meghalaya. The National Green Tribunal banned the hazardous apply of rat-hole coal mining within the State in April 2014.

“The Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the districts involved have been requested to research what occurred to the coal within the depots,” Mr. Tynsong, additionally in-charge of the Home portfolio, mentioned.

The coal lacking from the 2 designated storage websites had been declared as extracted and inventoried, indicating theft or diversion by individuals concerned in unlawful mining and transportation actions, the Katakey panel acknowledged.

One of Mr. Tynsong’s Cabinet colleagues, State Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla, mentioned a couple of days in the past that the coal from the 2 depots might have been washed away by rain.