Coal mining, transportation prohibited in Meghalaya

A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, April  5: The District Magistrate, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat has clamped Section 144 CrPC prohibiting  mining of coal in the entire district until further order by the tiol Green Tribul (NGT). The district administration also prohibited transportation of coal without valid documents like Royalty Challan, Transportation Challan and assembly of persons or groups of people within 100 meters of the Exit Points/Integrated Check Points in Ratacherra Weigh Bridge, Umkiang Taxation/DMR Check Gates and Byndihati Weigh Bridge and carrying of arms and lethal weapons that may likely cause injury except the security forces. This order has been issued in pursuance of the NGT order dated April 17, 2014 and subsequent orders banning coal mining. The NGT in its order on December 23, 2015 allowed transportation of coal up to May 15, 2016. The NGT also said that after May 15, the state government will take over and will be free to sell or auction the extracted coal.