Guwahati, Feb. 12 -- The Justice Katakey committee has expressed disappointment over the Meghalaya police's failure to effectively utilise drones in monitoring illegal coal mining activities in the state.

In its 27th interim report, the committee described the situation as a "very sorry state of affairs."

The state government had invested Rs 45.27 lakh in setting up two Drone Control Rooms, funded through the Meghalaya Environmental and Protection Restoration Fund (MEPRF).

However, the committee found that the police department had not made adequate use of the equipment, defeating the purpose of setting up the control rooms.

Despite identifying East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South Garo Hills as major coa...