Meghalaya HC Monitor Confirms Ongoing Illegal Coal Mining, Raps East Jaintia Hills Police

Overview

• The committee’s 34th interim report confirmed active illegal mining at Lumbangla, citing large coal dumps, a reinforced mine opening, cranes and tools, and 2,112 MT of coal on site.
• The report flagged enforcement lapses, noting no police representative attended a November 20 meeting and highlighting conflicting FIR dates and limited seizures despite visible equipment.
• District authorities were directed to identify vulnerable zones, intensify patrols, secure entry and exit points, and submit monthly reports supervised by the deputy commissioner and SP to the chief secretary.
• A discrepancy of 40,554.72 MT in inventoried coal in East Jaintia Hills was recorded, with the Mining and Geology Department told to submit an inquiry report within two weeks.
• After an April 2025 auction drew negligible bidders, the monitor recorded a government notice giving bidders 120 days to pay and lift coal and directed fresh auctions for inventoried stocks.