SHILLONG, DEC 22: Former chief minister and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Mukul Sangma have warned the state government of legal consequences if it fails to act against the alleged illegal coal trade in the state.
Speaking to journalists, Sangma said the rampant illegal activity of this scale cannot happen unless there is a predetermined stand of the government to pretend to be ignorant of what is happening and be silent on what is happening and continue in a denial mode.
He was reacting to the recent findings of the Amicus appointed by the Meghalaya High Court that there is rampant illegal coal mining across the state.
“If one has to understand and be analytical of the stand of the government which is reflective of their constant denial mode, then you have every reason to believe that the whole activities of illegal coal mining and illegal transportation at the cost of the state’s interest is happening because of the patronage from the authorities,” he said.
Stating that this is contrary to the responsibility that is vested upon the government, Sangma said the people in authority or in government are duty bound to protect the interest of the state failing which they are liable to be answerable as per the law of the land.
He also reminded that the relevant sub sections under section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 are cognizable offenses adding therefore, the government has to take cognizance of these illegalities as per the mandate of the law.
“Failure to act upon and take cognizance of a cognizable offense will have its own legal ramification. That’s why I am warning the government that they must take cognizance of whatever is happening since these particular instances of alleged irregularities and alleged illegalities are cognizable offenses as per the MMDR act 1957 and failure to act will result in other legal consequences,” the former chief minister warned.
By Our Reporter
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