Assam youth group protests, demands reopening of Margherita coal mines

The Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) on August 11 staged a protest on the NH-315 Ledo highway in Assam's Tinsukia district, demanding greater productivity at North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), Coal India Limited, Margherita, and permanent employment opportunities for local unemployed youth.

The protest was organised by the Margherita Regional Committee of the AJYCP. A large number of students, young people and local residents took part in the programme, raising slogans over the functioning of the coalfields and employment opportunities in the region.

The protest was led by AJYCP Tinsukia district committee vice-president Kanchan Bora, Margherita Regional Committee president Bimal Singh and its general secretary.

Addressing the gathering, Bora called for the reopening and resumption of operations at closed coal mines in Margherita. He also demanded an increase in coal production to strengthen the local economy and urged authorities to begin recruitment at the earliest.

The organisation further demanded that local unemployed youth be given priority in permanent employment and called for the establishment of a mining school in Margherita.