Rampant theft of iron in Tipong colliery in Tinsukia district

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: Rampant stealing of iron has been reported from Tipong colliery under Margherita in the Tinsukia district. Tipong colliery under North Eastern Coalfields has been shut down a few years ago and has now become of den of illegal activities.

The thieves are cutting all the iron materials in the colliery. It is estimated that nearly Rs 1 crore iron was stolen from Tipong Colliery. Sources said that every day, thieves steal iron from the Tipong colliery. A gang of iron thieves is active in the Margherita area.

"Some employees of Coal India Limited (CIL) are hands-in-glove with the thieves. The police and Tinsukia district administration have failed miserably to curb such illegal activities in Margherita. It is a very big nexus," said a source.

After the shutdown of the Tipong colliery, many materials which were used during the functioning of the colliery remain unused in the colliery and the thieves are taking advantage of this and stealing materials from the colliery.

Talking to media persons, Bharat Bhushan Borthakur, president of Purvottar Khadaan Mazdoor Sangha said, "If such illegal things are going on at the Tipong colliery then the management should investigate the matter and nab the gang involved in the stealing of iron from the closed colliery."

He said, "The government has been planning to develop the area into a tourism place but if such illegal activities are going on then this area will not develop."

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