Akhil Gogoi flags suspected coal transport syndicate, seeks CM's intervention

Guwahati, Nov 10: Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding what the former termed as “illegal coal transportation syndicate operating through Upper Assam” involving 42 suspected coal-laden trucks carrying coal from Meghalaya towards Nagaland.

Gogoi has sent a letter to the Chief Minister in this regard.

“I have received information and personally observed the movement and suspicious parking of a large number of heavy coal-laden trucks along the National Highway between Jhanji and Hanhchara in Jorhat district… At a time when thousands of families across Upper Assam are still struggling to recover from the devastating floods that affected Nazira, Sivasagar, Sonari, Mahmora, Demow and Mariani Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs), the re-emergence of illegal mining and transportation activities is particularly alarming,” stated the Raijor Dal president.

Gogoi stated that he has repeatedly raised concerns about illegal coal mining in the hills of Nagaland, along with unauthorized stone and sand mining, and termed such activities as one of the main causes that contributed significantly to the severity of the floods in Upper Assam earlier this year.

“The extensive environmental destruction caused by such activities, including the creation of mining pits and the alteration of natural drainage systems, demands a thorough and independent investigation. I have consistently demanded a CBI inquiry to establish the causes of the disaster and to identify those responsible and ensure accountability. I have also publicly raised allegations concerning the possible involvement of certain political representatives and influential persons in illegal coal mining and unauthorized extraction of stone and sand along the Dikhow river. These allegations deserve an impartial investigation without political interference. Following my repeated protests and public interventions, illegal stone and sand extraction as well as the transportation of illegally mined coal appeared to have temporarily stopped. However, the latest developments suggest that an organized network is once again attempting to resume its operations through Upper Assam,” he added.

Gogoi stated that in recent days he has noticed around 42 large trucks parked along the National Highway between Jhanji and Hanhchara.

“Upon making inquiries with local eyewitnesses, I was informed that these trucks were carrying coal originating from Meghalaya and were intended to travel through Amguri towards the Tuli railway station in Nagaland. When I contacted the local MLA of Nazira, Mayur Borgohain, to inquire about these trucks, he informed me that those trucks were not to pass through his constituency. This raises an important question: if these trucks are carrying legally mined and legally transported coal, why are they being parked at multiple locations without proceeding to their destinations? If the transportation is illegal, why have the police and concerned authorities not seized them?” he stated in the letter.

Gogoi further stated that as per information received by him, more than 200 suspected illegal coal-laden trucks have been held up near the Assam-West Bengal border.

“According to the information conveyed to me, the transportation arrangements through West Bengal could not proceed because of disagreements over financial terms or a failure to reach an understanding with the concerned network. Following this development, an alternative transportation route is reportedly being planned through Jorabat, Jagiroad, Nagaon Kaziranga and Dergaon, before entering Upper Assam through Jorhat and Sivasagar districts. The coal is reportedly intended to be transported towards Bihar through either Tuli railway station in Nagaland or Lakwa railway station in Assam. The possibility that such a large-scale illegal transportation network is operating across multiple districts, using national highways and railway stations, raises grave concerns about the functioning of the police, transport, mining and railway authorities,” said the MLA.

He added that after information about the trucks parked between Jhanji and Hanhchara became public, some of the vehicles had been shifted to other locations.

Gogoi stated that shifting of the trucks from one location to another, rather than their movement towards the declared destination, makes an immediate investigation imperative.

Gogoi demanded seizure of the approximately 42 suspected illegal coal-laden trucks and also urged the Chief Minister to direct the Assam Police and the concerned district administrations to identify and locate every truck involved in the transportation network and prevent their removal until the investigation is completed.

Gogoi urged an investigation into the reported presence of more than 200 suspected coal-laden trucks near the Assam-West Bengal border and determining their ownership, origin, intended destination and legal status.

He also demanded an independent investigation into the alleged illegal coal mining in Nagaland and its environmental consequences for Upper Assam.