Guwahati, Jan 28: The Gauhati High Court has initiated a suo motu case concerning the rampant illegal rat-hole coal mining operations in Assam’s Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts. The court has requested a detailed response from the Assam government regarding the measures taken to curb these unlawful mining activities.
The case comes in the wake of a devastating coal mine disaster at 3 Kilo in Umrangso, where nine miners were trapped in a flooded rat-hole mining site. This operation, which took place under the oversight of law enforcement and administrative authorities, resulted in the recovery of four bodies, while five miners remained trapped.
Reports indicate that around 220 illegal rat-hole mining sites have been operating, allegedly with the backing of mafia networks, law enforcement agencies, forest officials, politicians, and administrative authorities. Several such illegal mining operations have also been identified across Karbi Anglong district.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kaushik Goswami expressed grave concern about the unchecked functioning of over 200 illegal mining sites, which are in direct violation of the Supreme Court’s ban on rat-hole mining. The court stated, “The Court has taken note of the coal mine tragedy that occurred in Umrangso, Dima Hasao district. Reports suggest that more than 200 illegal rat-hole mines are in operation in the region.”
The court also pointed out that rat-hole mining continues to thrive in Karbi Anglong, either unnoticed or deliberately ignored by authorities. The bench emphasized the seriousness of the situation, declaring, “Given the gravity of the situation, we find it necessary to issue notices to the concerned respondents.”
Notices have been issued to several officials, including the Chief Secretary of Assam, Additional Chief Secretary (Mines and Minerals), Commissioner and Secretary (Environment and Forest), Secretary (Home and Political), Principal Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management), Principal Secretary (Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council – KAAC), and the Director of Geology and Mining.
Advocate General D. Saikia received the notices on behalf of the Assam government, while lawyer J. Chutia received the notice on behalf of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for February 7.
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