Guwahati, Jan 11: Member of Parliament for Jorhat and Deputy Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the tragic coal mine collapse in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The incident, which occurred on January 6, 2025, has left at least 10 miners trapped after water flooded an illegal rat-hole mine, causing its tunnels to collapse.

Three more bodies have been recovered from the site till date bringing the total to four bodies.

Despite rescue operations entering their fifth day, the fate of the miners remains uncertain, casting a grim shadow over the recurring issue of illegal mining in Assam. The MP highlighted that this tragedy is not an isolated event but part of a larger pattern of negligence, corruption, and environmental degradation tied to rat-hole mining operations in the region.

A Long-Standing Issue Ignored

Rat-hole mining, banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, continues unabated in Assam. A 2021 report by Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey revealed that illegal mining thrives due to weak enforcement and local complicity. The MP referenced data presented in the Lok Sabha in 2019, which confirmed ongoing illegal mining activities in Assam’s Digboi forest division, particularly in areas like Namphai reserve forest and Saleki proposed reserve forest.

The MP further pointed out that local authorities, including district administrations and police, have consistently failed to enforce the ban, enabling illegal mining operations in regions like Umrangso, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao. This lack of accountability has led to repeated fatal accidents and extensive environmental damage.

The Call for Action

In the letter to the Prime Minister, the MP urged the government to establish an SIT with a broad mandate to:

Investigate the Dima Hasao mine collapse and identify those responsible.
Examine the failure to enforce the NGT ban on rat-hole mining.
Address the complicity of local authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Assess safety standards and working conditions in illegal mines.
Map and identify illegal mining sites across Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and Upper Assam.
Evaluate and mitigate the environmental impact of these operations.

A Turning Point for Assam ?

Describing the incident as a turning point for Assam and India’s fight against illegal mining, the MP emphasized the need for justice and systemic reform. “The people of Assam, and indeed all of India, deserve to know the truth and see justice done,” the letter read.

The MP expressed hope that the Prime Minister would act swiftly to ensure a fair and transparent investigation, holding all responsible parties accountable while taking steps to prevent future tragedies.

Also Read: We won’t proceed without public consent: CM Khandu on Siang dam

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