'Rain May Have Washed Away 4000 Tonnes Of Missing Coal': Meghalaya Minister Amid HC Scrutiny

Last Updated:July 29, 2025, 07:19 IST

The minister made the comments just days after a Meghalaya High Court bench led by Justice HS Thangkhiew criticised the state’s handling of illegal coal operations.

Illegal coal mining | Representative Image

Amid scrutiny over the “disappearance" of nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of coal from depots in Rajaju and Diengngan villages in South West Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla suggested that monsoon rainwater might have washed the coal downstream into neighbouring Assam and Bangladesh.

The coal was stored in Ranikor Block, and its disappearance has drawn sharp criticism from the Meghalaya High Court, which has asked the state government to identify those responsible for the illegal movement of coal.

Addressing reporters in Shillong on Monday, Minister Shylla said, “I am not trying to justify, but we need to remind ourselves that Meghalaya has one of the highest rainfall rates in the country. So due to this high and heavy rainfall, anything can happen."

“There is an allegation that because of the rains in Meghalaya, floods happened in Assam, and from East Jaintia Hills, rainwater goes to Bangladesh. You never know, it could be because of the rains the coal got carried away."

While refraining from confirming the presence of illegal trade, Shylla said, “I cannot blame the rain alone. I don’t have any details with me to say that there was illegal transportation. However, since we have the authority, we need to ensure that there is no illegal transportation or illegal mining; it should be as per law."

The minister, who hails from Jaintia Hills—a coal-rich region—made the comments just days after a Meghalaya High Court bench led by Justice HS Thangkhiew criticised the state’s handling of illegal coal operations.

The missing coal had previously been surveyed and documented, as per the 31st interim report submitted by the Justice (Retd.) BP Katakey Committee, which is overseeing coal mining and transportation in the state.

The incident has again raised concerns over illegal coal trade in Meghalaya, an issue the state has struggled with for years.

Location :

Meghalaya, India, India

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