HT Bureau
DIPHU, Jan 10: The Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee (KADCC) has organised ‘Satyar Sandhanot’ with the question, “Who is the kingpin of coal syndicate,” by holding a sit-in demonstration in front of the KADCC office here on Friday in protest against the illegal coal mining in NC Hills and Karbi Anglong districts.
The Congress has highlighted the issue of ‘syndicate raj’ in coal mining and alleged that the chief minister has always claimed that there are no illegal mines in Assam.
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Congress workers shouted slogans against the BJP government for allegedly giving a free hand to illegal coal mining. The opposition is demanding compensation to the next of kin of victims and the constitution of a CBI enquiry into the incident.
KADCC president, Bidyasing Rongpi, participating in the sit-in-demonstration, said, “It has been learnt that in Umrangso of NC Hills district of Assam, illegal rat hole coal mining is in operation. The recent incident saw nine miners trapped in the coal mine. One of them died and another person could be retrieved from the mine. Now eight to seven miners are still inside the coal mine in a depth of 200 to 300 feet.”
He further said, “The High Court has already banned rat hole mining. But how come the NCHAC has permitted the mining of coal without any regulation? The coal mines in NC Hills are owned by NCHAC’s CEM’s wife Kanika Hojai. The CEM of NCHAC himself is involved in illegal coal mining.”
Rongpi further stated that it is not only in NC Hills, but illegal coal mining is going on in Karbi Anglong. “They are in Klurdung, Silveta and other places. Illegal coal mining should immediately be stopped by the government to avoid fatality. The land and soil of Karbi Anglong are ruined.”
Commenting on the serious consequences mining has on the nature, Rongpi said, “Huge hills have been reduced and extensive extraction of sand and stone has polluted water bodies. There is no more forest and hills.”
Congress, moreover, alleged that the sand syndicate are also operating. “If unchecked for another 10 to 15 years water bodies will dry up. White stones (marble) are also illegally extracted and supplied. This should also be stopped by KAAC.”
KADCC vice president, Ashok Teron said BJP workers themselves are protesting against the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of NC Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Debolal Garlosa. No one can go against the CEM and he is controlling the NCHAC as he wishes.
