Assam: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly criticized the ongoing practice of illegal rat-hole mining in Assam, underscoring the state’s failure to enforce a 2014 National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban.
The remarks come in the wake of a tragic incident in Umrangso, Dima Hasao district, where nine miners were trapped in a flooded coal mine on January 6.
“It’s shocking that despite the 2014 NGT ban, rat-hole mining remains rampant in Assam,” Gogoi said, calling for urgent accountability.
He expressed his prayers for the safe rescue of the trapped miners and extended condolences to their families. Gogoi further urged for “thorough and mandatory safety audits of mines” and called for strict penalties against operators failing to ensure worker safety.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged the complexities of enforcing regulations in Sixth Schedule areas like the Bodoland Territorial Region and Karbi Anglong, where the state’s jurisdiction is limited. Sarma stated, “We are awaiting the investigation report to understand the circumstances under which mining permissions were granted and to take appropriate action.”
The situation turned grim on January 8, when Army divers from the 21 Para Special Forces recovered one miner’s body from the flooded mine. Sarma confirmed the recovery on social media, expressing condolences to the grieving family.
Rescue efforts for the remaining eight miners continue with multiple agencies involved. Divers from the Navy, Army, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working tirelessly at the site. However, the operation faces significant challenges due to the flooded mine shaft, caused by workers striking an underground water source.
State Mines Minister Kaushik Rai reported that specialized pumps from the State Disaster Response Force have been deployed, while the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has provided additional equipment awaiting aerial transport once weather conditions permit.
Police have arrested one suspect, Punish Nunisa, as investigations into illegal mining activities intensify. Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy has directed Coal India Limited to provide additional resources, while military personnel have set up lighting systems to enable round-the-clock rescue operations.
The incident has reignited debates over illegal mining practices and the enforcement of safety regulations in Assam, with public figures and citizens alike demanding immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
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