Coal mining in Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary will not be accepted: Rakibul Hussain

OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: Following a series of agitations and protests by various socio-cultural and student bodies across the State centering round the government's decision granting permission to CIL for mining in extended 98.58 hectares of forest land, a team of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee led by Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain visited the sites near the collieries in Margherita, including Saleki.

Hussain was accompanied by various Congress leaders. The APCC team was to study on-the-spot about the situation arising out of the decision of the government to allow coal mining in Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary. Hussain alleged that the BJP government was making all-out effort to disturb the existing bio-diversity and wildlife to promote their vested trade in an organized manner through Coal India Limited.

Citing examples of unabated rat hole mining in Jagun's Namphai Reserve Forest under the nose of the police, Hussain alleged that the government's focus had now shifted to Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary. "The mining approval of the National Board for Wildlife to CIL, that too at the cost of irreparable loss to green cover, environment and wildlife, will not be accepted at all," said Hussain.

The APCC team also took part in a sensitization programme at Powai Tea Garden in Digboi organized by All Assam Chah Mazdoor Congress. Beside awareness talks on COVID-19, the programme also witnessed free distribution of masks and other required items among the tea garden workers.

"The team also visited Dibru Saikhowa Sanctuary and took stock of the situation there. The team will submit its report to the APCC formally within a short time so that further steps for intervention will be initiated at the earliest," said Manoj Dhanowar, the chairman of Tea and Ex-Tea Mazdoor Congress. 

Also Watch: #NewsMakers Live: Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya, Chief Adviser AASU & Adviser NESO in an exclusive chat