Akhil Gogoi Claims Over 1000 Miners Have Lost Lives in Upper Assam's Rat-Hole Mines

Guwahati, November 13, 2019:

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi on Wednesday stated that illegal mining is running rampant in Ledo and Margherita in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district, and many lives have been lost in these "dangerous" mines.

Gogoi alleged that nearly 5,000-6,000 laborers collect coal in the mines and over a thousand miners have lost their lives already.

Gogoi lamented that the mining has been going on in broad daylight, despite numerous protests by the local civil societies.

"All the rivers of Ledo and Margherita have been polluted due to mining", he said, adding that major mining activities are going on in Digboi also.

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Gogoi also alleged that Coal India guards are taking bribes from the illegal coal smugglers. He further alleged that the forest department has submitted the report.

Alleging the RSS and BJP of being involved in the smuggling activities themselves, Gogoi stated that they were

Akhil Gogoi also stated 300-400 pickup vans transport coal from Aradhana area on a regular basis. Gogoi further urged the Chief Minister to stop this, and threatened to carry out protests if the demand is not met.

It may be mentioned here that there have been accusations that the Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbanada Sonowal, is involved in the coal syndicate. A Congress MP from Nagaon in Middle- Assam, Pradyut Bordoloi, has made these accusation. Moreover, organizations like Gogoi's KMSS have also raised their voices against the alleged coal smuggling in the area.

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