Shillong, Aug. 2 -- The Meghalaya government has launched an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of more than 4,000 metric tonnes (MT) of coal reported missing from designated storage sites, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Saturday.

Tynsong, who also holds the Home portfolio, stated that instructions have been issued to district officials and police to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.

"We have asked deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to investigate if there has been any misappropriation or illegal diversion of coal," he told media.

The decision comes in response to a report submitted to the Meghalaya High Court by a court-appointed committee, which revealed that over 4,000 MT of coa...