Village on the Brink of Devastation: Coal Dumping Threatens to Uproot Margherita’s Communities
Coal Dumping Ground Threatens Ancient Communities in Assam’s Margherita Region
The North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) in Margherita, Assam, has sparked outrage among local residents as it moves to establish a coal dumping ground in the surrounding area, posing a significant threat to the homes and livelihoods of over 1,000 families who have resided there for over a century. The affected villages, Jharna Basti, China Basti, and Malu Pahar, fear being buried under the dumping ground, leaving them with no choice but to abandon their ancestral homes.
According to local residents, the recent survey conducted by NEC CIL Margherita has marked the area as a "danger zone" with red flags, further exacerbating their concerns. The Tikak Colliery, operated by NEC, has already raised environmental concerns due to coal dumping, resulting in reported health issues among residents, which has left them worried about their future.
Jamila Khatun, a permanent resident of Jharna Basti, stressed that the compensation provided to affected families has been inadequate, with vast tea gardens being taken over for the coal dumping ground. "The fate of the residents remains uncertain," she emphasized. The residents from the three affected villages have yet to receive a concrete plan from NEC CIL Margherita, leaving their lives in limbo.
Tehon Hakhun, the village pradhan of Malu Pahar, highlighted the cultural significance of the area, stating, "There are 102 Tangsa community people living here, and we have lived here for centuries. We have our own manuscripts, culture, language, traditions, rites, and rituals." NEC CIL Margherita’s decision to dump coal in this area has put their identity at risk. Hakhun added that they have repeatedly approached NEC Margherita to provide land for shelter but have been denied, leaving their community’s future uncertain.
The local residents are now bracing themselves for the worst, with one resident from Jharna Basti stating, "If the dumping ground is established here, a devastating conflict is inevitable." As tensions rise, the silence from NEC CIL Margherita on the matter has merely added to the uncertainty, leaving the affected community to face an uncertain future amid concerns of displacement and environmental degradation.
The people of the Margherita region are holding on to their ancestral homes, determined not to leave despite the looming threat. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen if NEC CIL Margherita will reconsider its decisions and prioritize the well-being of the local residents, or if the region will succumb to the dangers of coal dumping.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/assam-coal-dumping-threatens-villages-in-margherita-residents-fear-displacement-1181024-2025-03-08?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-03-08 14:30:00
