The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently uncovered extensive illegal coal mining activities in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, underscoring a troubling disregard for environmental bans and worker safety. Despite a long-standing ban on mining operations in the region, the ED reports that rat-hole mining is conducted “rampantly” and under “inhuman” conditions. Through its ongoing investigation into money laundering associated with illegal mining and coke production, the ED estimates that approximately 1,200 tonnes of coal are illicitly excavated daily.
In its recent operation, the ED conducted searches across 15 locations in Meghalaya’s Jadigittim and Nongalbibra areas, as well as in Jogighopa, Margherita, and Guwahati in Assam. These searches are part of a broader investigation initiated by a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Meghalaya Police. The ED stated that illegal coal mining continued in the South Garo Hills’ Jadigittim area, with managers, ‘sardars’, and laborers employing primitive tools for excavation.
The agency noted that about 20 unauthorized mines operate in the Era Aning and Goreng areas, blatantly ignoring mining prohibitions established over a decade ago. The miners work without safety measures, a situation described by the ED as deeply concerning given the hazardous conditions. During their operations, ED officials transferred several laborers found on-site to local police to verify their identities and nationalities.
The ED’s investigations revealed a cross-border “syndicate” involving individuals from Meghalaya and Assam, who facilitate the illegal transport of coal across state lines. This network meticulously forged documents to misrepresent the origins of the coal as being from legally-operating mines. To disguise these illicit activities, syndicate members charged ₹1.27 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh in cash per truck from mine owners under the guise of “commission.” The coal was then stored at depots, notably in Jogighopa, before being dispatched to sectors like cement manufacturing, brick kilns, iron and steel facilities, and illegal coke plants.
Furthermore, a portion of this coal was sent directly to unregulated coke plants, where “fake” invoices suggested legal origins from Assam mines. These bogus transactions were camouflaged as genuine business deals, with cash payments predominating. The cash amassed through these operations was centralized by the syndicate and maintained at various handlers’ locations. During the search, officials seized several diaries documenting these cash dealings.
Evidence gathered, including documents and statements from involved parties, indicates a well-coordinated scheme involving mine owners and syndicate members intent on concealing the illegal nature of the coal mining. The confiscated materials show that five to seven trucks, each loaded with 12 to 16 tonnes of illegally-mined coal, were dispatched daily from individual mines. The estimated daily extraction of illegal coal from the South Garo Hills’ Era Aning and Goreng areas is around 1,200 tonnes, with mine owners reportedly netting a profit of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per truck after covering operational costs.
In its raids, the ED seized cash amounting to ₹1.58 crore, along with laptops, mobile phones, and two luxury vehicles. This crackdown highlights the ongoing challenges of curbing illegal mining activities in the region and raises pressing questions about cross-border syndicates operating with apparent impunity.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/ed-busts-rs-100-crore-coal-racket-assam-meghalaya-nexus-exposed-1204692-2025-04-25?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-04-25 21:51:00
