Congress MP from Jorhat Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday demanded a detailed probe into alleged illegal coal mining and coal syndicate in Assam and Meghalaya. During a press conference at the District Congress Bhavan in Jorhat, he said that a “coal mafia” is active under political patronage which is carrying out illegal mining in both these states. Gogoi has also written to the Central Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding this matter.
Allegations of illegal coal mining and syndicate
Gaurav Gogoi said that in the month of April, the Enforcement Directorate had taken action in which it was revealed that coal mined illegally in Meghalaya is brought to Assam with the help of fake documents. A bribe of about Rs 1.5 lakh is paid for each truck. He said that this money is hidden in various parts of Guwahati. Despite this, the governments of Assam and Meghalaya have not taken any effective action on this serious issue. He cited the example of the last Umrangshu accident where nine workers were killed in an illegal mine. Investigation of that incident revealed that 245 such illegal mines are operating in Assam, which were not possible without political patronage.
Allegations on Assam government and Chief Minister
Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the Assam government is maintaining silence in this entire matter and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma has not taken any concrete steps on this. He also linked the removal of former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to this syndicate. Gogoi said that Sonowal was trying to end this coal syndicate but perhaps Himanta and his colleagues did not like this step. That is why he had to be removed despite the party’s victory for the second time.
Targeted the Prime Minister too
Gaurav Gogoi also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not meeting the shelling victims in Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that it is unfortunate that the PM is holding rallies in Bihar while the people of Poonch are suffering. He also demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss these sensitive issues once all the representatives return from abroad.
