Date | Feb 15, 2017:

Taking a tough stance towards preventing the illegal coal mining inside Rongrenggre Reserve Forest in Meghalaya, Deputy Commissioner of East Garo Hills District Hubert B Marak today gave an order to refill the coal pits.

In a circular, Mr Marak have entrusted Magistrate of the district Tennystar R Marak to carry out the order with effect from tomorrow.

Though, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya in April 2014, but illegal coal mining and timber smuggling from the reserve forest have been reported by numerous civil organisations in the past two years.

In a few instances, militants overpowered forest guards to carry out illegal activities.

In fact, forest officials have even brought the illegal activities to the notice of different stakeholders.

(Source: http://news.webindia123.com/)