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Umrangso Coal Mine Deaths: Gauhati High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance, Seeks Report From Assam Govt Over Illegal Mining Activities
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
29 Jan 2025 12:00 PM IST
The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday (January 28) issued notice to the State authorities in a Suo Moto PIL taking note of the coal mine tragedy that had taken place in Umrangso of Dima Hasao district of Assam.The division bench of the Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kaushik Goswami directed the State respondents to file their response to the PIL and the latest status report regarding...
The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday (January 28) issued notice to the State authorities in a Suo Moto PIL taking note of the coal mine tragedy that had taken place in Umrangso of Dima Hasao district of Assam.
The division bench of the Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kaushik Goswami directed the State respondents to file their response to the PIL and the latest status report regarding the action taken by the State Government to stop the practice of rat-hole coal mining in the State of Assam by February 7.
The Court took note of various reports which suggest that around more than 200 rat-hole mines are in operation in Umrangso area. The Court also took note that in Karbi Anglong district of the State of Assam, the rat-hole mining is rampant and is either going unnoticed or despite having knowledge of the same, the authorities are not taking any action to stop or close those rat-hole mines.
It is to be noted that the alleged illegal coal mining operation in Umrangso, which resulted in a mishap on January 6, left at least nine labourers feared trapped inside an abandoned mine. Reportedly, four bodies have been recovered.
On January 16, Assam Chief Minister had announced a judicial inquiry into the incident, which will be led by retired Gauhati High Court judge, Justice Anima Hazarika.“Learned counsel appearing for the respondents may file their response to the PIL (Suo Moto) petition and the latest status report regarding the action taken by the State Government to stop the practice of rat-hole coal mining in the State of Assam by the next date of hearing,” the Court said.
The matter is listed again on February 7.
Case Title: In Re-Dima Hasao Tragedy v. The Chief Secretary & 6 Ors.
Case No.: PIL (Suo Moto)/1/2025