Guwahati, Jan 11: Gaurav Gogoi, Member of Parliament for Jorhat and Deputy Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the devastating coal mine collapse in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The tragedy, which unfolded on January 6, 2025, resulted from water inundating an illegal rat-hole mine, causing the tunnels to collapse and trapping at least 10 miners.
As of now, four bodies have been recovered, including three retrieved on the fifth day of rescue operations. However, the fate of the remaining miners remains uncertain, raising urgent questions about illegal mining practices and the failure to enforce bans in the region.
Illegal Mining: A Persistent Threat
The MP highlighted that this incident is not an isolated event but part of a long-standing issue of illegal rat-hole mining in Assam, marked by repeated fatal accidents, environmental damage, and systemic negligence. Despite being banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, rat-hole mining continues unabated, fueled by weak enforcement and complicity from local authorities.
A 2021 report by Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey underscored the unchecked proliferation of illegal mining in Assam’s forest areas, particularly in the Digboi division, including Namphai reserve forest and Saleki proposed reserve forest. The MP also pointed to data presented in the Lok Sabha in 2019, which corroborated ongoing mining activities despite official acknowledgement of their illegality.
Local players, in collaboration with complicit district administrations and police, have allowed these operations to persist, particularly in areas like Umrangso, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao. The result has been a string of preventable accidents and significant harm to both workers and the environment.
The Call for Action
In his letter, Gogoi urged the Prime Minister to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the Dima Hasao mine collapse. He outlined the following priorities for the SIT:
Investigate the circumstances of the mine collapse and identify those responsible.
Examine the failure to enforce the NGT’s ban on rat-hole mining.
Address the role of local authorities and law enforcement in enabling illegal mining.
Assess the safety standards and working conditions in such mines.
Map and identify illegal mining sites across Assam, particularly in Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and Upper Assam.
Evaluate and propose measures to mitigate the environmental impact of illegal mining.
A Turning Point for Reform
Describing the tragedy as a potential turning point in Assam’s fight against illegal mining, Gogoi emphasized the urgency of systemic reforms to protect vulnerable workers and the environment. “The people of Assam, and indeed all of India, deserve to know the truth and see justice done,” the letter read.
The MP expressed hope that the Prime Minister would act decisively to ensure accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue their efforts at the disaster site, as the state grapples with the recurring consequences of unregulated mining practices.
