By Avik Chakraborty
DIBRUGARH , SEP 20: The rampant and illegal rat hole mining by the coal mafia in the Patkai range of Tinsukia district has once again come to the fore with the death of three coal miners inside a rat hole mine.
It is estimated that there are over 5,000 illegal rat hole mines in the district that have been dug up by the coal mafia in Margherita, Ledo and Lekaphani areas of Tinsukia district with political and police backing.
Environmental organisations alleged that the illegal rat hole mining which has been running since last several years saw a huge jump after all mining activities were suspended by Coal India Limited in several collieries including Tikak, Tipong and Tirap which forms a part of the North Eastern Coalfields on June 3, 2020 due to non-availability of statutory clearances.
Only the Tikak colliery resumed operation on March 26, 2022 after a gap of almost two years. Taking advantage of the situation the coal mafia went on an overdrive in into rat hole mining activities after the suspension of mining activities by Coal India Limited.
Devojit Moran, secretary of Green Bud NGO said that over 1,000 rathole mines are being operated in Margherita, Ledo and Kharsang area alone.
“Even after knowing everything the police don’t arrest the coal smugglers who are running the racket using muscle power. There is political patronage and police backing the illegal coal trade is flourishing because of the unholy nexus between the coal mafia and top notch politicians. The cops also get the cut and turns a blind eye to such illegal activities.The coal extracted through rat hole mining is transported across the country through fake permits. The police, Coal India officials and even the government is aware of it but they turn a blind eye to it.” Moran added.
He further said, “Rat hole mining is posing a serious threat to the ecology. Many rat-hole mines have sprung up in the Patkai hills and the historical Patkai range is being destroyed by the coal mafia. The poor workers also often lose their lives inside the unsafe coal mines.”
“Despite ban on the Rathole mining, the coal mafis are still operating the ratmining in Margherita, Ledo area. The government should immediately act against the illegal mining. If such illegal activity going on for few years then the whole envoronment of Margherita, Ledo area will be affected,” Moran said.
Tinsukia Superitendent of Police Debojit Deuri said, “We have picked up eight persons in conection with the death of the labourers from illegal ratholemining. We have started our interogation,”.
Justice (Retired) BP Katakey comission’s repport reveled extensive illegal coal mining in the Saleki proposed reserve forest and Tekok open cast during the period 2003-2019by violating the Biological Diversity Act 2002.