The Meghalaya government has launched a high-stakes investigation into the alleged disappearance of over 4,000 metric tonnes of coal from two designated storage sites, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong announced Saturday. Tynsong, who oversees the Home portfolio, has directed district authorities and police to conduct a thorough probe into what a High Court-appointed committee described as a serious breach in the state’s coal monitoring system.

The committee’s recent report to the Meghalaya High Court revealed that the missing coal, previously declared as extracted and inventoried, raises critical concerns about illegal diversion and lax oversight. “We’ve instructed deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to investigate any misappropriation or unauthorized transport,” Tynsong told PTI, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance.

The probe will scrutinize coal and diesel inventories, focusing on movement records, documentation, and field verification to trace discrepancies. Tynsong vowed strict action, stating, “If wrongdoing is confirmed, we will proceed legally, even approaching the Supreme Court if necessary.” This follows years of scrutiny over Meghalaya’s coal sector, plagued by allegations of illegal mining and transportation despite a 2014 National Green Tribunal ban, lifted partially in 2019.

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A comprehensive report will be submitted to the High Court, detailing findings and proposed measures. The investigation signals the government’s intent to restore accountability and curb illicit activities in the state’s coal industry, amid growing public and judicial pressure.

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