Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that 220 illegal coal mines have been detected in Umrangso, sparking concerns about environmental degradation and loss of life. The discovery was made possible through satellite imagery, which will continue to monitor the emergence of these mines.
The announcement comes on the heels of a tragic incident in the area, where four lives were lost, and five individuals remain missing. The government has pledged an ex gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the four deceased and will extend the same compensation to the families of the five missing individuals.
To address the situation, a judicial enquiry commission led by Justice Anima Hazarika will investigate the matter and identify those responsible for the lapses that allowed illegal mining to proliferate. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will also probe the incident, with its activities closely monitored by Retired Justice Anima Hazarika.
The state government plans to introduce a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to enforce a blanket ban on rat-hole mining, a hazardous and illegal practice often linked to environmental degradation and loss of life. The Mines and Minerals Department will collaborate with central agencies to identify and close all existing rat-hole mines in Assam.
Rescue operations for the remaining five miners trapped in a flooded coal quarry in Assam’s Dima Hasao district are ongoing, but are being hampered by suspected seepage of fresh water from underground streams.