“Crackdown on Hazardous Rat-Hole Mines in Assam: Justice Prevails Post-Umrangso Tragedy – Northeast News”
In the wake of a tragic incident at the Umrangso coal mine, Assam authorities swiftly moved to close 13 illegal rat-hole mines in Namdang colliery’s Bittu Pahar area, Tinsukia district, on Saturday. Leading the operation were Margherita Sub-Divisional Executive Magistrate Pritom Gogoi and Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Abhijit Gurav, alongside representatives from North Eastern Coalfields and Assam Power Distribution Company Limited.
During the crackdown, three miners were detained for extracting coal from illegal mines, while authorities dismantled illicit power connections and seized electrical equipment used in mining. Magistrate Gogoi confirmed, “Three miners were caught red-handed, and operations across the region will persist.”
This action follows the Assam Cabinet’s January 16 decision to close all rat-hole mines in the state’s North Eastern Coalfields and implement strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The move addresses urgent safety concerns following fatal incidents in illegal mines, like the one in Umrangso, Dima Hasao.
Despite ongoing efforts, illegal mining remains widespread. Activist Ranjan Chowdhury, voicing concerns via YouTube, accused organized crime syndicates and corrupt politicians of perpetuating these operations. “Illegal coal mining is an organized crime,” Chowdhury stated, highlighting that trucks loaded with illicit coal travel freely on highways due to political complicity.
In tandem with the crackdown, the government provided financial aid to families affected by the Umrangso disaster. Assam Mines and Minerals Minister Kaushik Rai distributed Rs 10 lakh cheques to the families of four miners whose bodies were recovered and Rs 6 lakh to the families of five miners still trapped, with additional amounts promised later. The dewatering process at Umrangso continues as efforts persist to navigate the repercussions of illegal mining activities in Assam.
Critics highlight the need for more comprehensive measures to effectively dismantle the networks fueling the illegal coal trade, as Assam’s government endeavors to address this ongoing challenge.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/assam/13-illegal-rat-hole-mines-shut-down-in-assam-following-umrangso-tragedy/18646/
Category : Assam
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Publish Date: 2025-01-18 20:53:00
