Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah has raised serious allegations against the state government regarding the illegal coal mining operations in Umrangso.
Borah accused the family of Debolal Gorlosa, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), of being behind the illegal activities. He also criticized the state government’s failure to take action on the matter.
Borah stated, “Allegations have surfaced that the family of NCHAC CEM Debolal Gorlosa is involved in the illegal Umrangso coal mine, yet the state government remains silent on this issue.” The Congress leader’s statement follows media reports highlighting the alleged involvement of Gorlosa’s family in the illegal mining operations in the region.
The APCC President also brought attention to the case of a survivor from the recent rat hole mine rescue who reportedly went absconding after the tragic incident, further complicating the situation surrounding illegal mining activities in the state.
Borah took aim at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his previous denial of the existence of coal mining syndicates in the state. He questioned whether these syndicates were operating under the chief minister’s knowledge or whether he was unaware of their activities. Borah emphasized the importance of this issue, asking, “Are these syndicates operating under the control of the chief minister, or is he completely unaware?”
The Congress leader specifically pointed to Kaushik Rai, the newly appointed State Mines & Minerals Minister, accusing him of having ties to coal syndicates. Borah referenced local media reports from the day Rai took office, which flagged his alleged connections to these syndicates. According to Borah, the rise in coal syndicates since Rai’s appointment has contributed to incidents like the Umrangso coal mine disaster.
The APCC has called for a thorough investigation into the illegal mining activities in Umrangso and demanded greater accountability from the state government to address the environmental destruction and loss of lives linked to these operations.
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