Coal truck
Representative image

The activists of  Makum unit of All Assam Students Union (AASU) headed by its secretary Rontu Borsaikia of Makum in Tinsukia district of eastern Assam intercepted 10 coal laden trucks on late Sunday evening.

A delayed report reaching Tinsukia on Wednesday stated that the 10 trucks laden with illegal coal was intercepted near Arunachal Dhaba along Makum-Tinsukia Road and the same were handed over to Makum Police for verifying exact status of the alleged illegal consignment along with over loading issues.

The vehicles bearing registration number UP 25 BT-9707, MH24 AB-7047, UP21 AN-5581, NL01 L-8247, AS23BC-6997, AS02AC-6438, AS01 EC-9247, MH21 X-5876, AS25 B-7981, AS01DD-7127 carrying the consignments from various commercial coke industries in and around Ledu colliery and Coal India Limited Margherita were heading towards different destinations including Guwahati.

The students’ body intercepted the vehicles and found carrying the goods illegally and beyond the permissible quantity.

Based on the FIR lodged by Borsaikia at Makum police station, a case No 10/19 was registered and prosecuted u/s 379/411 of IPC.

According to the activists of the students’ body, the consignment was illegal which the owners were carrying without paying the due taxes to the government. They also expressed grave concern about the sharp rise in illegalities in coal and coke trade in the areas including Margherita, Ledu, Tirap, Tikok and Namphai Reserve Forest in Jagun.

Meanwhile, a team of Makum Police led by officer-in-charge Dibyajyoti Dutta brought all the loaded trucks under the legal fold and based on the aforesaid formal allegations the police has started its preliminary investigations.

“We would call into the attention of all the concerned departments including the DTO , the Tax Department and the Coal India Limited for exact verification of the suspected commodities and vehicular fitness before reaching any definite conclusion to this affect,” asserted Dutta.

Meanwhile, following an FIR to this affect, the police is investigating into the matter in liaison with the other relevant departments after which the steps would be initiated as per the provisions of the law.

Laxman Sharma is Northeast Now Correspondent in Digboi. He can be reached at: [email protected]