The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Assam government and several of its departments, demanding accountability for the unchecked rat-hole coal mining operations within the state. The court’s proactive measures come in response to the devastating Dima Hasao coal mining tragedy, which has reignited concerns over this dangerous and illegal practice.
On Monday, the court initiated a public interest litigation (PIL) suo motu, and by Tuesday, had directed notices to seven key government departments, including the Chief Secretary’s office. The departments summoned include Mines and Minerals, Environment and Forest, Home and Political, Revenue and Disaster Management, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and the Directorate of Geology and Mining.
Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kaushik Goswami, presiding over the divisional bench, emphasized the alarming prevalence of rat-hole mining, particularly highlighting the situation in the Umrangso area of Dima Hasao district and Karbi Anglong district. “It is either going unnoticed or, despite being known, no substantial action is being taken to curb these unlawful activities,” the bench stated.
This judicial scrutiny follows a tragic incident on January 6, when nine laborers were trapped in the 3-Kilo coal quarry in Umrangso due to a sudden influx of water. Rescue operations led to the recovery of four bodies, while the fate of the remaining five miners remains uncertain.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 7, where it expects a comprehensive response from the involved departments detailing the steps taken to eliminate rat-hole mining practices in Assam. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously banned rat-hole mining in 2014 due to its hazardous nature and the severe environmental damage it causes. Despite this ban, reports suggest that illegal mining continues, exploiting both natural resources and the miners themselves.
