GUWAHATI: At least 263 illegal rat-hole coal mines were detected by the Assam government in the state's central regions. This figure stands despite a ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which was imposed a decade ago. Over 25,630 tonnes of illegally mined coal have been seized by the officials in the past three years.
These details were revealed by Mines and Minerals Minister Kaushik Rai in the state assembly on Wednesday and he disclosed the data while responding to a query from Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi.
The minister shared that as many as 248 rat-hole mines were discovered in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), which cover Assam's Dima Hasao district.
The authorities also found 15 such illegal coal mines in Assam's Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, which comprises of East Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.
The presence of coal mining activities in the upper Assam districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo was also acknowledged by Kaushik Rai. However, specific details regarding rat-hole mining in those areas were not provided.
It is worth noting that severe tragedies have been caused due to illegal coal mining in Assam. In a disastrous incident that occured earlier this year on January 6, nine labourers found themselves trapped inside the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry in the Umrangso area after the site was engulfed by a sudden flood of water.
The partially decomposed bodies of all miners were recovered from the rat-hole mine by the rescue teams after several days of search operations.
ALSO READ: Assam's Para-Cyclist Rakesh Banik Gears Up To Embark On 9,000-km Expedition From Russia To Guwahati
ALSO WATCH: