220 coal mines detected in Umrangso: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the detection of 220 coal mines in Umrangso, raising concerns about the environmental and legal implications of unregulated mining in the region. 

Addressing the issue in the weekly press meet, the Chief Minister highlighted the use of satellite imagery to monitor and study the emergence of these mines.

"When we examined how the mining started, we found out that in that region around 220, such coal mines are present and how these mines came into existence we need to take the assistance of satellite imagery to monitor and study the emergence of these mines."

The announcement comes in the wake of a tragic incident in the area, where four lives were lost, and five individuals remain missing. 

To provide relief to the victims' families, the government has pledged an ex gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the four deceased. 

The same compensation will be extended to the families of the five missing individuals, irrespective of whether they are found alive or deceased.

In response to the gravity of the situation, a judicial enquiry commission led by Justice Anima Hazarika, former Judge of the Gauhati High Court, will be instituted. The commission will investigate the matter thoroughly and identify the officers, individuals, and institutions responsible for the lapses that allowed illegal mining to proliferate.

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Chief Minister Sarma also announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident based on the First Information Report (FIR) already filed. 

The SIT’s activities will be closely monitored by Retired Justice Anima Hazarika to ensure transparency and accountability.

Additionally, the state government plans to introduce a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to enforce a blanket ban on rat-hole mining, a hazardous and illegal practice often linked to environmental degradation and loss of life. 

The Mines and Minerals Department has been directed to collaborate with central agencies to identify and close all existing rat-hole mines in Assam.

Operations to rescue the remaining five miners trapped in a flooded coal quarry in Assam’s Dima Hasao district are being hampered by suspected seepage of fresh water from underground streams which is slowing down the dewatering process, officials said on Thursday.

Even as several pumps remained pressed into action to dewater the mine, water continued to recede at a slow pace thus delaying rescue operations, they said.

“Water is being continuously pumped out. But it has been slow as it is now suspected that fresh water from some source underground keeps replenishing it,” they said.