There is no question of illegal movement of trucks, says Tynsong

“Where is the illegal transportation of coal now that the auction has taken place? You knew it well that the process has been done by the Coal India Limited (CIL). Not less than 1 lakh metric tons out of almost 32 lakh metric tons of coal has been auctioned and people who got the challan and their trucks are plying on the roads,” Tynsong told reporters.

According to him, the movement of trucks is legal as per the challan.

“Therefore, I am telling you the movement of trucks is according to the auctioned coal,” he said while informing that very soon the auctioning process will also start for West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills after completion of the process in Jaintia Hills.

Tynsong was responding to a query on the recent detection of over 18 illegal trucks carrying coal without challan by an NGO and the subsequent alleged failure of the Mawryngkneng police station to register its FIR.

He however said police cannot refuse to register an FIR. “It is also their (NGO) duty to follow it up as police cannot just refuse to register an FIR whether it is according to challan or no challan or no paper,” the deputy chief minister said.

Stating that one should not believe just because people are saying illegal movement of trucks, Tynsong said, “Go meet the mining and geology department and ask how many challan they have issued instead of listening to anybody.”

On the allegation that a “high level” is facilitating the illegal movement of trucks in the state, he said, “Why not name all the members of that high level. Who is that high level? Don’t just listen to Tom, Dick and Harry. If they just say like that it is not a gospel truth. Find out whether trucks plying on the roads are with papers or without papers. If you don’t have papers, police will arrest you if they do have papers you cannot. It is very clear and simple.”

Referring to the Congress’ allegation of rampant illegal collection from trucks, Tynsong said there is no use to respond to such an allegation which is totally baseless.

“Baseless allegations can be made anytime, any day, any moment but let me just reiterate one thing, any allegation made please substantiate it as law of the land prevails be it for chief minister, be it deputy chief minister or be it anybody, law of the land prevails,” he said.

By Our Reporter