Meghalaya: UDP questions Mukul's intention for raising coal issue

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SHILLONG:

The United Democratic Party (UDP), a major ally of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), has questioned the intention of the former Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma for raising the issue of illegal mining and transportation of coal, "when he himself owns many coal mines".

"We will not be able to (ascertain) the findings of the former Chief Minister that there is fresh mining of coal. He (Dr Mukul) will know better about the fresh coal since he is involved in the coal business," UDP senior working president Bindo Mathew Lanong told reporters after the Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of the party here today.

Reacting to the recent comments made by the former Chief Minister on the MDA indulging in a criminal conspiracy vis-a-vis illegal mining and transportation of coal, Lanong said Dr Mukul will be the best person to answer the question.

https://www.thenortheasttoday.com/current-affairs/states/meghalaya/meghalaya-conrad-hits-out-at-mukul-over-contradictory-statements-on-coal-issue

"I would only like to question him on what he (has) done to address this issue when he (Mukul) was there in the government," Lanong said.

Meanwhile, UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh said that the party is totally against any kind of illegal mining and transportation of coal.

"The coal which are being transported are those which has got all the valid documents. So illegal transportation does not arise. It is the duty of the Government to ensure that illegal transportation of coal does not take place," Lyngdoh said.

When asked about the demand for an independent inquiry into this issue from several quarters, he said the people who are making these allegations should come forward with evidence.

"You cannot just take pictures of coal trucks which are plying on the road without verifying the documents and papers. It is not right to make allegations without providing evidence," he said.