HT Correspondent
Margherita, July 24: The Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) Margherita regional committee staged a dharna near the bus stand at NH 315 in Margherita on Monday, raising their voice against the rampant illegal coal mining at the collieries of NEC Coal India Ltd, Margherita. More than 100 members of the AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee participated in the protest, vehemently expressing their discontent and shouting slogans against the management of NEC Coal India Ltd, Margherita, as well as the Margherita sub divisional administration (civil) and the Assam government for their failure to protect the region’s natural resources from relentless looting by coal mafias over the years.
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Bimal Singh, the president, and Rajiv Rongrang, the general secretary of AJYCP Margherita regional committee, emphasised that the 124th number Margherita constituency in Tinsukia district is rich in coal reserves, also known as the ‘Black Diamond’. However, after the shutdown of Bargolai Colliery, Ledo OCP, Tirap Colliery, and Tipong Colliery under NEC Coal India Ltd, Margherita, illegal coal pilferage has caused significant losses to the state exchequer and the revenue of both the Assam government and NEC.
Highlighting the importance of NEC Coal India Ltd, Margherita, as the largest existing PSU that is vital for the residents of Margherita, the leaders expressed concern about the grave threat posed to the lives of people living near the collieries due to illegal coal extraction through rat hole mining. The Patkai Hills, a historical site, are at risk of landslides and erosion, potentially leading to disaster. AJYCP has been demanding the adoption of scientific methods for coal extraction to ensure the safety of coal cutters and protect the environment.
The protest also brought attention to a recent tragic incident at Tikak Colliery, where Dipen Aley from Uriamghat, Golaghat district, lost his life in a methane gas explosion while working for Ron Lungchang and Shyam Lungchang (alias Naga Shyam) from Ledo Tikak Malu Pahar. AJYCP expressed dissatisfaction with the Margherita police and Margherita Sub Divisional Administration (Civil) for failing to arrest Shyam Lungchang despite submitting a complaint letter at Ledo police outpost.
AJYCP submitted a memorandum to Union Coal minister Dr Prahlad Joshi through the general manager of NEC Coal India Ltd, Margherita, demanding immediate action. The demands included the closure of all illegal coal operations in NEC Margherita collieries, the establishment of a hospital in Ledo, 100 percent local recruitment for educated youths in all coal mining companies of NEC Margherita, the opening of a coal mining school in Margherita, and the revival of all closed down collieries through scientific methods. The committee is determined to advocate for these issues until effective measures are taken to address the concerns related to illegal coal mining and protect the well-being of the community and the environment.
