Guwahati, May 17: Police have formally registered an FIR against Kanika Hojai, wife of Debolal Gorlosa—the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council—in connection with the January 6 rat-hole mining disaster in Umrangso that claimed over 20 lives.
The case, filed at Umrangso Police Station under FIR No. 08/2025 (GR Case No. 51/2025), follows a directive issued by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Dima Hasao, S. Chanda, on April 6. The court’s order was in response to a criminal petition filed by activist Pitush Langthasa, who accused Kanika Hojai of facilitating illegal mining operations that led to the fatal flooding at the 3 Kilo site.
Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning rat-hole mining in 2014—and the Supreme Court upholding the ban in 2015—the illicit operation at 3 Kilo continued under alleged official cover. Langthasa submitted documents, including a transit challan issued by the Assam Mining Development Corporation (AMDC), identifying Kanika Hojai as a registered coal customer, thereby implicating her in the unauthorized mining.
“The incident demonstrates gross negligence, recklessness, and a flagrant disregard for human life and environmental law,” Langthasa said in his complaint. He demanded action under Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Environment Protection Act (1986), the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (1957), and the Forest Conservation Act (1980).
Langthasa had initially approached Umrangso police on January 10, shortly after the tragedy, but authorities only made a General Diary (GD) entry and failed to act. A second complaint to the Dima Hasao Superintendent of Police on January 17 also yielded no immediate investigation. It wasn’t until CJM Chanda intervened that the police were ordered to register an FIR and begin a separate investigation.
The court found Langthasa’s complaint significantly different from an earlier one filed by AMDC senior manager Prasenjit Kemprai on January 7. Kemprai’s report blamed unknown miscreants, while Langthasa’s petition pointed to a deeper conspiracy involving high-level figures, specifically Kanika Hojai.
“The January 10 complaint indicates a larger conspiracy and seeks to uncover facts previously unknown but essential for a fair investigation,” the court noted. It also instructed the Superintendent of Police to relay the order to Assam’s Director General of Police, who had already formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by CID DSP Upen Kalita.
While an earlier case (Umrangso PS Case No. 2/2025) is being probed by the SIT, the court emphasized that Langthasa’s complaint deserved independent treatment due to its broader implications.
As the probe gains momentum, pressure is mounting on law enforcement and government officials to act decisively. Public outrage over the incident continues to grow, with demands for accountability not just from illegal miners but also from those enabling and profiting from the practice under official sanction.
