DIGBOI, June 29 - Oinam Saran Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia district and Siladitya Chetiya, the SP, Tinsukia at a recent press briefing at the Tinsukia Circuit House denied their alleged involvement in the coal syndicate as alleged by Nowgong MP Pradyut Bordoloi recently and said that an efficient team of officials would be constituted to inquire into the issue and based on the report of the committee, stern action would be initiated as per law against the defaulters whosoever he or she they may be.
The DC further clarifying his stand said that neither in his individual capacity nor the Margherita SDO (Civil) is involved in the perverted trade or in any means abetted the act. Chetiya said that police personnel are in no way are involved in the act of promoting anti-social activities including the alleged involvement in the coal syndicate in Margherita. �Without any leniency, we have arrested many illegal coal traders, seized several tonnes of unlawfully procured coal consignments beside seizing vehicles. Many persons have also been prosecuted,� he said . Bipul Bora, the DFO Digboi Forest Division and SP Dutta, the General Manager (Operation) of the Coal India Limited were also present during the media briefing session.
The Tinsukia district wing of the Chatra Muklti Sangram Samity (CMSS), during a press conference adopting a middle path took on both the Congress and the BJP and held them responsible for the ongoing illegal coal trade in Margherita area including in the Tirap, Tikok and Ledu Colliery. Tinsukia CMSS advisor Lakhyajyoti Gogoi said, �Pradyut Bordoloi has no right to comment on the coal syndicate as the menace was started by him during his tenure.�
Meanwhile, 10 cases have been registered under the PDPP Act in Margherita in 2019. Many accused were arrested besides several tonnes of illegally procured coal materials seized. Several vehicles were also seized. Two suo motu cases (174/19,173/19) u/s 379, IPC were registered under Ledu Police Station. Around 30 tonnes of coal and three vehicles carrying the consignment were seized. Similarly in Lekhapani area, six cases were registered of which two were disposed of and the rest are under investigation. A fresh case no 79/19 u/s 379 r/w 3 of PDPP Act was registered wherein a vehicle engaged in the illegal extraction of coal material in Namphai Reserve forest in Jagun was seized. �With the available resources in hand, we are leaving no stone unturned to curb the menace of petty coal pilferage in and around Jagun, Lekhapani, Ledu and Margherita area�, said one of the police officials of the subdivisions adding �law can take its course only based on complaints or FIRs or when we find someone engaged in gross violation of the law, while the other aspects of the system including mining, auction, transportation, taxation and pollution aspects ought to be strictly looked into by other stakeholders.�
Meanwhile as per data available, Dispur earned Rs 32.72 crore in 2015-16, Rs 34.62 crore in 2016-17 and Rs 45.49 crore in 2017-18 as revenue from coal mining.
