Guwahati: The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has alleged that illegal coal mining, particularly rat-hole mining is going on in various parts of Assam and its neighbouring states–Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh causing huge environmental damages.
The AJP has sent a memorandum sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.
Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposing a ban on rat-hole mining in 2014, unabated mining is still continuing in Assam’s Tinsukia and Karbi-Anglong districts.
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Earlier, Justice (Retd) BK Kakoty Commission reported that illegal rat-hole mining remains in the state, causing serious impacts on the environment and local ecology.
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The AJP has accused some politicians of Assam of influencing authorities to issue passes for the extraction of coal for their personal gains.
They claimed that tonnes of coal have been illegally transported, resulting in an illegal transaction of crores.
The AJP has called on the Prime Minister to take steps to stop illegal mining and protect the environment.