Shillong, March 8 -- The Meghalaya government is considering seeking the removal of Justice (Retd) BP Katakey, who heads the High Court-appointed one-man committee investigating illegal coal mining in the state.

The government is reportedly seeking legal counsel on filing a petition with the High Court to terminate the committee's services.

Sources suggest Justice Katakey's persistent investigations into unauthorized coal mining have created tension with influential figures in the coal industry.

However, there is internal disagreement within the government regarding this move. Some officials argue that the committee should continue its work until its mandated objectives are fulfilled. They emphasize that the committee is not permanent,...