Guwahati, Jan 10: While rescue efforts by the NDRF, Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Assam Rifles continue to recover the bodies of 17 labourers from a coal mine in Umrongso, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) launched statewide protests on Friday. The APCC accused the BJP-led government of enabling an illegal coal syndicate responsible for the tragic incident in Dima Hasao district.

Led by APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah, hundreds of Congress workers gathered at district headquarters, including Manabendra Sarma Complex in Guwahati, demanding accountability for the deaths. Borah questioned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s inaction against illegal coal mining despite the Supreme Court’s ban on rat-hole mining in the Northeast.

“The Chief Minister claimed he would act like a tiger against corruption involving Rs 2,000. Where is the tiger now?” Borah asked, highlighting the administration’s alleged complicity in granting permits to influential figures for illegal mining. He accused Konika Hojai, wife of CEM Debolal Gorlosa, of conducting rat-hole mining and alleged the Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC) collected revenue from coal linked to the illegal operations.

Borah further asserted that the illegal syndicate operates openly under the watch of district officials, including the DC, SP, and DFO. He condemned the transportation of coal via hundreds of trucks daily from Umrongso and criticized the BJP’s dismissal of Congress protests as mere propaganda.

“No BJP leader has visited the affected workers’ families. Even the Chief Minister has stayed away from the site. The BJP national president, during his visit to Assam, remained silent on the tragedy,” Borah added.

He also accused the BJP of financing party infrastructure, including Vajpayee Bhawan, with syndicate money, claiming, “We have lost faith in the CBI and Assam Police, who have become tools for the BJP government.”

The APCC’s statewide campaign, titled “In Search of Truth: Who is the Kingpin of the Coal Syndicate?” aims to expose those responsible for the illegal mining operations. “We stand united to uncover the truth behind illegal coal mining. No more silence, no more cover-ups. It’s time for accountability and action,” Borah declared.

Also Read: Meghalaya Govt. revises Minimum Wages: ₹645 for highly skilled, ₹525 for unskilled labourers

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