Jorhat: In a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has demanded a thorough investigation into alleged illegal coal mining and syndicate operations rampant across Assam and Meghalaya. Addressing mediapersons at the District Congress Bhawan in Jorhat, Gogoi squarely blamed a powerful “coal mafia” for flourishing unchecked, purportedly under the protective gaze of political figures. He even linked this alleged nexus to recent shifts in Assam’s political leadership.
Speaking with ANI, Gogoi highlighted a stark contrast between the Prime Minister’s vision for a “Rising North East” and the grim reality on the ground. “Yesterday in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a Rising North East summit where he spoke of private investment. I wrote to him the same day highlighting the ground reality in Assam and Meghalaya — the illegal coal syndicate,” Gogoi stated, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
The Congress stalwart drew attention to an Enforcement Directorate operation conducted in April, which he claimed exposed the intricate web of illegal coal trade. According to Gogoi, coal illegally extracted in Meghalaya is being ferried into Assam using forged documents, with an alleged bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh paid per truck. “This money is hoarded at various spots in Guwahati,” he alleged, painting a picture of widespread corruption.
Gogoi expressed deep concern over the apparent inaction from both the Assam and Meghalaya governments. He ominously recalled the tragic Umrangshu incident, where nine labourers lost their lives in an illegal rat-hole mine. “A subsequent probe revealed 245 such operations in Assam. This could not happen without political protection,” Gogoi asserted, suggesting a deep-rooted complicity. He further criticised the lack of serious investigations or arrests in connection with the coal syndicate, questioning the silence of the Assam government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In a dramatic claim, Gogoi insinuated that former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s attempt to dismantle the syndicate might have led to his unceremonious removal from the top post. “Sonowal came to power promising to end the coal syndicate. But perhaps his actions did not sit well with Himanta Biswa Sarma and his colleagues, leading to his removal despite leading his party to victory a second time,” Gogoi alleged, fanning the flames of political intrigue.
Beyond the coal controversy, Gogoi also took a swipe at the Prime Minister for not visiting victims of shelling in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. “It’s unfortunate that the PM is addressing rallies in Bihar while people in Poonch suffer. A special session in Parliament should be convened to discuss these issues once delegations return from abroad,” he urged, broadening his critique to national issues.
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