Guwahati, Jan 11: In a scathing attack related to the Umrongso coal mine tragedy, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Borah accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of shielding key figures behind illegal mining operations in the region.
Speaking to the media in Biswanath on Saturday, Borah alleged that Debolal Gorlosa, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, and his wife Konika Hojai are central figures in the illegal coal syndicate.
“CM’s feet are on two boats—he knows everything but won’t act. If the police capture Gorlosa and his wife, they will reveal the truth and expose the kingpins behind the coal syndicate,” Borah claimed.
He further asserted that Gorlosa and his wife are mere “faces” of the illegal mining racket, while the identities of the real masterminds remain unknown. “We believe the Chief Minister’s top priority is to protect Gorlosa and his wife,” Borah added.
“The public is questioning who the real kingpin behind the syndicate is,” Borah stated. “This pressure prompted the Chief Minister to make a late-night Facebook appearance to address the issue. We are determined to uncover the truth—everyone involved will be exposed.”
Borah’s remarks come amid growing demands for transparency and accountability in the wake of the mining disaster, which has highlighted serious concerns about illegal operations and regulatory oversight in Assam’s coal sector.
Borah hits back at CM, accuses govt of delaying panchayat polls
Borah criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for delaying panchayat elections in the state. This comes after Sarma accused Congress leaders of obstructing the polls by filing a court case over anomalies in the delimitation of panchayat constituencies in Sribhumi district.
Borah questioned the government’s inability to hold elections nearly a year after dissolving all gram panchayats on February 4, 2024, citing the delimitation exercise.
“The Chief Minister, who portrays himself as a progressive leader, has failed to conduct the panchayat polls even after a year,” Borah said.
“We want panchayat elections and will compel the government to hold them. If necessary, we will move the court or organize democratic protests. However, the election should not clash with examination schedules,” Borah also said.
“We will closely monitor the actions of government advocates to ensure that court judgments favor the public,” Borah further said. Borah alleged that government lawyers failed to submit proper arguments in court. He mentioned that judicial orders were expected soon, yet Sarma announced the postponement of elections before the verdict was finalized.
Borah accused the Chief Minister of being reluctant to hold the elections due to declining popularity amid controversies, including the recent coal mine tragedy in Umrongso.
“The Chief Minister announced the postponement despite knowing that Rs 1,000 crore in central funds allocated for panchayat development remains unused. These funds can only be utilized by elected representatives, and due to negligence, they may have to be refunded,” Borah said.
“When non-Congress governments ruled from 1985 to 1990 and 1996 to 2001, they failed to hold panchayat elections. In contrast, during Congress regimes, we consistently conducted these elections, including from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 onward,” he asserted.
Borah emphasized that deferring elections for more than six months is against regulations and criticized the government’s failure to adhere to legal requirements. “The Constitution grants us the right to approach the courts, and the government cannot evade accountability by blaming Congress,” he concluded.
