Assam: Illegal Rat-Hole Mining Resumes in Tinsukia

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: The illegal rat-hole mining has been continuing unabated in Margherita- Ledo area in eastern Assam’s Tinsukia despite NGT banning rat-hole coal mining. The Dima Hasao coal mine collapse has been hitting the headlines for the last several days but yet no lessons have been learned from this tragedy.

According to sources, the illegal mine has been operating in Lalpahar area under Lekhapani forest range in Margherita.

“For the last two months, the practice of illegal mining has been on a halt in the reserve forest under Lekhapani range but it has started again in Lekhapani RF, Tipong RF, Tirap RF and Pharpur RF. The forest department has been completely mum even after knowing everything about the illegal rat-hole mining,” said a source.

Sources said that the coal mafias are running the syndicate in an organized manner by managing everyone.

“We were happy that the practice of illegal rat-hole mining had been stopped in the reserve forest under Lekhapani range but it has started yet again. Poclain JCBs used for digging and excavation were seen in the reserve forest. The reserve forest will be destroyed one day if these activities continue,” said an environmentalist.

He said, “These areas are mostly elephant reserves and elephant movement areas. Due to such illegal practice, the movement of elephants has been badly affected. The department concerned should look into the matter.” Concerned citizens have raised their voice against the illegal excavation of coal but it seems that the department or the district administration is not bothered about the running of the coal syndicate in the area.

Ranjan Chowdhury, a conscious citizen, recently in his Youtube channel, has raised his voice against the illegal rat-hole mining running unabated in Margherita-Ledo area of Tinsukia district.

“Illegal coal mining is an organized crime and the coal mafias are running this syndicate with the help of corrupt politicians. Every day, trucks loaded with illegal coal ply from the highways but no one dares to stop them,” he alleged.

“Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning rat-hole mining in 2014, it still continues in the Ledo-Margherita coal belt. Over 700 illegal rat-hole mines are currently operating in the Patkai Hills with the support of muscle power and political backings,” said a local resident.

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