Five coal-laden trucks seized in Bokajan

A Correspondent

Bokajan: At least five trucks laden with illegally mined coal were seized by officials of the Forest Department at Bokajan on Saturday. The trucks were seized in a surprise check conducted by the department officials over NH-39 along the Assam-Nagaland border in East Karbi Anglong.

The trucks were reportedly loaded with coal extracted illegally from different mines in the hills of Karbi Anglong. The trucks were seized as the drivers could not produce any valid documents required for transporting coal. The department was tipped off about the illegal operation by Students for Youth Justice, a regional student organization active in the hill district of Karbi Anglong.

Illegal coal mining in the district of Karbi Anglong has assumed an alarming proportion and continues to gain media attention from time to time. However, the district administration is in a complete denial mode about this illegal operation and the coal mafia continue to feed upon the rich coal deposits unabated since decades. The coal mafia here are reportedly practising unscientific open cast mining by engaging excavators deep inside the inaccessible forest of the district. This in turn is also significantly affecting the floral composition and the ecological biodiversity of the region.

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