SHILLONG: As the state grapples with the fallout of the recent coal mine blast, Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang has confirmed that the Meghalaya Police have launched an aggressive, multi-departmental offensive against illegal mining operations.
While the DGP remained tight-lipped on the specific details of the blast investigation, citing that the matter is currently Sub Judice with a crucial court hearing scheduled for the 5th of March, she made it clear that the police are not sitting idle.
The hunt for illegal coal is now a daily operation. The DGP revealed that five specialized teams have been constituted to saturate the coal belts. These aren’t just police squads; they are high-level joint task forces including — magistrates for legal oversight, DMR (Directorate of Mineral Resources) experts and Transport Department officials to choke the supply lines.
”It keeps changing because every day they are going there,” DGP Nongrang stated, highlighting the relentless nature of the raids. Just yesterday, the teams successfully seized an estimated 62 metric tons of coal in their latest swoop.
Despite the high-octane activity, the DGP was candid about the department’s primary hurdle: a severe shortage of boots on the ground.
While there is a massive induction of 2,800 new personnel scheduled for next week, the DGP cautioned that relief won’t be instantaneous.
These recruits must first undergo rigorous basic training. It will be a minimum of 9 to 10 months before these officers are fully battle-ready and deployed to the frontlines.
All eyes are now on the March 5th hearing, where the court’s observations are expected to shape the next phase of the investigation. The East Jaintia Hills Police, along with state-wide units, continue to act on the court’s previous directives to dismantle illegal networks.
