Villagers stage sit-in-protest against mining in Diyung river in Dima-Hasao

After the infamousstone mining in Panimur waterfall, mining in the Diyung river in Dima Hasao district has come to the fore. Infuriated over the mining, local villagers staged a sit-in-protest on the river shore near New Haflong railway station. The protestors were nearby villages who have been affected by the mining in the Diyung river.

Protestors later submitted a memorandum to the Principal Secretary to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) citing their demand of immediately halt the mining and action against the person involved in it.

It may be mentioned that stone mining in the Diyung river started ever since the activation of the BG line in the district way back in the year 2015. Stones extracted from the river are reportedly transported to Manipur, Tripura and other northeastern states for the construction of rail line besides other construction works.

It needs mention that the NCHAC Chief Executive Member (CEM) in his Independence Day speech said that he will not allow stones to be transported outside the district. However, stone mining would be allowed for construction works within the district.

Diyung is the main river in the district which contributes 50 percent of water supply in the district headquarter. But due to mining in the river, water level has receded and the water has become murky. Mining has also severely affected the aquatic lives of the river thus affecting lhe local fishermen who earn their livelihood by fishing.

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