ED Conducts Raids in Assam and Meghalaya Over Illegal Coal Mining
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Synopsis
The ED has conducted extensive raids in Assam and Meghalaya under the PMLA, uncovering illegal coal mining operations. Key findings include the seizure of cash, digital devices, and vehicles, alongside evidence of a syndicate facilitating the transport of illegally mined coal. Ongoing investigations reveal extensive illegal activities despite previous mining bans.
Key Takeaways
- ED raids 15 locations in Meghalaya and Assam.
- Seizure of Rs 1.58 crore and digital evidence.
- Illegal coal mining persists despite a decade-long ban.
- Evidence of a syndicate manipulating coal transport.
- Ongoing investigations into illegal mining activities.
New Delhi/Shillong, April 26 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed searches at 15 locations in Meghalaya and Assam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, concerning unlawful coal mining and the operation of illegal coke manufacturing facilities in Meghalaya, as reported by official sources on Saturday.
During the operations, officials seized a total of Rs 1.58 crore in cash, along with digital devices such as laptops, diaries/ledgers, mobile phones, and two luxury vehicles believed to have been acquired from Proceeds of Crime.
Interviews with critical individuals disclosed that, despite a ban on mining lasting over a decade, illegal rat hole mining was occurring extensively under inhumane conditions, lacking safety measures for the miners.
The investigation was triggered by an FIR filed in Shallang, Meghalaya, under multiple sections of the IPC, 1860, MMDR Act, 2015, Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Explosive Substances Act, 1883, and Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 1988.
Further findings during the search illustrated that Managers, Sardars (worker heads), and laborers were actively involved in illegal coal mining in Jadigittim, South Garo Hills, employing rudimentary tools.
The central agency uncovered that approximately 20 mines were being unlawfully operated in the Era Aning and Goreng regions of South Garo Hills district.
A few laborers were subsequently handed over to local authorities to probe their identities and nationality. A syndicate composed of individuals from Meghalaya and Assam was allegedly facilitating the passage of trucks carrying illegal coal across the Meghalaya-Assam border without inspections, fabricating documents to depict the coal as legally mined.
This syndicate reportedly charged between Rs 1.27 Lakh and Rs 1.5 Lakh per truck from mine owners as a commission, with the illegally sourced coal stored at depots in Jogighopa, Assam.
The illicitly mined coal was then distributed to various industries such as cement production, brick kilns, iron and steel manufacturing, and illegal coke plants. Some of the coal was directly moved to illegal coke facilities from depots located in the northeastern region.
Sources indicated that operators at the Jogighopa depot were also complicit in generating fraudulent invoices to present the illegally mined coal as having originated from legitimate mines in Assam, thereby disguising it as a legitimate business operation.
Most transactions were conducted in cash, and fake invoices were generated to lend a veneer of authenticity to the dealings. The cash generated in these operations was collected by the syndicate and stored by cash handlers, who were also searched, leading to the seizure of diaries documenting cash movements.
It was further revealed that coal mine owners and syndicate members coordinated with illegal operators in Margarita, Tinsukia, Assam, to create the illusion that the coal was sourced from legitimate mines.
Documents seized and statements from Managers, mine owners, and laborers revealed that between five to seven trucks were filled daily from each mine, with each truck transporting 12-16 tonnes of unlawfully mined coal.
The estimated illegal coal extraction from the Era Aning and Goreng area of South Garo Hills is around 1200 tonnes per day. Mine owners reportedly earned between Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000 per truck as net profit after covering all expenses.
Further investigations are ongoing.
Following a decade-long ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, a scientifically managed coal block in the East Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya was inaugurated on March 17 by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
A senior official from the government stated that the Ministry of Coal has sanctioned scientific coal mining in Meghalaya.
In April 2014, illegal coal mining, including the perilous method of rat-hole mining, was prohibited in Meghalaya by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), labeling it as 'unscientific' and 'extremely hazardous'.
