On Wednesday, Abdul Ahad Choudhury was arrested by the Meghalaya Police as the “mastermind” and suspected leader of the coal mafia, from Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi district.
An investigating is being carried out regarding an old case against Choudhury at Khliehriat police station in East Jaintia Hills.
Choudhury is a resident of Sutarkandi in Karimganj district (Assam). He is believed to be the primary masterminds in illegal transportation of coal from Meghalaya to Barak Valley in Assam.
When contacted, the Superintendent of Police of Ri-Bhoi, S.P.N. Lamare confirmed the arrest.
“He was arrested from Nongpoh a few days back,” Lamare said.
“Since there was a case registered against him at Khliehriat, we handed Choudhury over to Khliehriat police,” he said.
The transfer of the suspect to Khiehriat from Nongpoh police station was confirmed by Superintendent of Police of EJH Deepak Kumar Palecha.
Palecha said, “He is under our custody. I will provide more details at a later stage once the investigation is over”.
It was reported that there was some activity related to the illegal coal transport from Meghalaya to Barak Valley. A few trucks, without valid documents and loaded with coal were stopped by locals in different areas of Barak Valley.