Congress MLA Debabrata Saikia furnishes 'evidence' of illegal coal smuggling in Assam

GUWAHATI: Debabrata Saikia, the leader of the opposition in Assam, has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of turning a blind eye to activities of the ‘coal mafia’ in the state and urged its leaders to put a halt to purported coal mining activities in the region.

Saikia, in a video release on social media, further said that he has unearthed evidence of the ongoing syndicate in the state.

He released a video taken in Upper Assam’s Margherita in which he claims “evidence” of the ongoing coal syndicate can be found.  In the video released by the Nazira MLA, a driver was asked where he was taking the shipment, to which he replied ‘Nagaon.’

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Saikia said that he has submitted the video to concerned officials so that they can further probe the matter.

The video shows a long line of vehicles, all purportedly carrying stolen coal. The convoy was filmed by scribes who released the clips on social media.

Saikia has also criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for inaction and questioned his statement in the Assembly that he cannot stop vehicles heading to Meghalaya from West Bengal via Assam.

“However, a BJP leader from West Bengal has alleged Mamata Banerjee’s involvement in illegal coal trade,” he said.

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