Shillong: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has carried out raids in several parts of South Garo Hills in Meghalaya in connection with alleged illegal coal mining and the operation of unauthorised coke plants.
The ED officials on Thursday raided the houses of coal barons and the office of the Department of Mining and Geology at Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills.
Earlier, activists had lodged several complaints regarding illegal mining and transportation of coal, as well as tax evasion.
The Enforcement Directorate has simultaneously conducted raids in multiple locations across Meghalaya and Assam, targeting businessmen from both states.
As per sources, approximately 20 sites in South Garo Hills were raided as part of the operation.
According to sources, the raids were centered on individuals believed to be integral to the management and operational aspects of the illegal mining and coke plant establishments.
On January 28, the Enforcement Directorate seized Rs 14.2 lakh in cash and uncovered extensive money laundering operations linked to illegal coke plants in Meghalaya during raids conducted across Guwahati and Kolkata.
Investigations revealed a complex web of benami ownership, with operators from Assam allegedly running illegal coke plants using Meghalaya residents as front owners.
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“Many coke plants were allegedly run in a benami manner in which it was shown to be owned by locals from Meghalaya, whereas the actual persons were running the business from Assam,” the ED stated.
