Assam: Migrant Workers Abandon Margherita Amidst Escalating Crackdown on Illegal Coal Mining

MARGHERITA: A mass exodus of more than 5,000 migrant workers from the town of Margherita has begun with Assam authorities launching a tough campaign against illegal coal mining in the area. The order, issued by Director General of Police GP Singh, asks for the closure of all rat-hole mines in Margherita, Lekhapani, Bargolai, Ledo, and Tipong within a week.

Most of the workers, who have been involved in these illegal mining activities for months, are from districts like Barpeta, Goalpara, Dhubri, Morigaon, and Nagaon and neighboring Meghalaya. On Monday, hundreds of workers were seen boarding trains to return to their home districts.

Despite the rampant illegal mining activities, local bodies such as police and district officials have been criticized for seeming to do nothing against the menace. The backlash was further worsened by an incident in Umrangso, where nine miners died inside an illegal mine, forcing the state government and law enforcement agencies to be on their toes.

Exodus of migrant workers has proved that this region's economy majorly relies on illicit coal mining. The government has sealed the mines to cut off risks related to safety and pollution in the near future. Moving forward, the regulation will be imposed strictly, but sustainable alternatives to the affected miners will be implemented to avoid the reviving of the illegal mining in the region.

Also Read: Assam: Udalguri Police Conducts Awareness Program on Workplace Sexual Harassment

Also Watch: