Guwahati, June 4 -- The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state government to take immediate action on approximately 1.96 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of illegally mined coal identified through recent aerial surveys, warning of potential pilferage and unauthorized transportation.

The directive was issued during a hearing on June 2 in an ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning rampant illegal coal mining in the state.

The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice H S Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh, was reviewing the 30th Interim Report submitted by Justice (Retd.) B P Katakey, who is overseeing coal-related issues in the state.

The court stressed that proceedings under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regul...