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Concern over illegal coal mining

Despite round-the-clock vigil illegal coal mining and smuggling going on without any hindrance raising doubt over the role of a section of local traders and policemen.  The Margherita unit of the All Tai Ahom Student's Union has expressed grave concern over the unabated illegal coal trading in a number of places in the entire huge area. 

Talking to Assam Times, local ATASU leaders have alleged that despite restrictions, coal mining activities have been taking place at Aradhora and Namdang Colliery under the North Eastern Coal Fields Coal India Limited.

They rued that the district administration has stopped illegal coal mining in many places. But at least 15 huge coal laden trucks are regularly seen plying on these areas. These trucks, mostly, ply in Aradhora, Namdang where coal mining has been banned. 

The government has been incurring loss of crores of revenues daily because of illegal coal mining and smuggling in these areas. How these are allowed to take place? Has anybody managed a section of police officers?

 

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Mithun Baruah's picture

Mithun Baruah reports from Margherita.

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dattajv's picture

It is only a joke if someone says illegal mining has stppoed. It is an industry providing livelihood to thousands of youth in many coal producing states in easten and north easten region. It is quite a normal spectacle, thousands of coal laden bicycles ply on the public roads 24x7 in states like Jharkhands. Sometimes jokes are heard that government machinery is coming down heavilly on illegal mining and pilferage of coal. most of the coal is stolen from CIL mines. For the fear of incurring the wrath o coal mafia, no official takes any decisive step in this matter. Unless the youth are groomed/trained/educated to live an honourable living engaing themselves in self-employment and skill development activities, the illegal miningg can never be stopped.  It is an open secret that persons making most of this illgotten money are politicians, police and government officials. A consorted action of atleast 5 years by the governments of state and Centre, public sector and private sector coal mining companies in these states can only make drastic change.

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