Members of student organisations submitting a memorandum to
Nirola Phangchopi at her official chamber in Diphu. (EM Images)
DIPHU — Representatives from the Karbi
Students’ Association (KSA-Samson Teron faction), Karbi Students and Youth
Council (KSYC) and allied organisations on Monday submitted a memorandum to
District Commissioner (DC), Nirola Phangchopi, highlighting the pressing issue
of illegal coal mining and transportation in Karbi Anglong.
The memorandum emphasised the alarming scale of unauthorised
coal mining, unregulated stone extraction, and illicit transportation across
East Karbi Anglong.
These activities have far-reaching consequences, including
ecological imbalance, threats to local livelihoods, and environmental
degradation, the memorandum stated.
The student bodies also expressed concern over the
transportation of coal through illicit channels, raising questions about
governance and accountability.
Unchecked stone extraction has led to soil erosion, loss of
agricultural productivity, and destruction of natural habitats, creating
hazardous conditions for residents and impacting biodiversity, it stated.
The representation also highlighted that local farmers and
indigenous communities have been deprived of their rightful access to natural
resources, while unchecked exploitation has degraded common lands, affecting
traditional livelihoods.
Further, it stressed that these illegal practices undermine
environmental and legal frameworks established by the government and the Karbi
Anglong Autonomous Council.
The student organisations criticised the alleged
ineffectiveness of governing mechanisms, police forces, and law enforcement
agencies in curbing these illegal operations.
In response, they declared their intention to monitor and
act against these activities to safeguard the region's natural resources,
uphold local communities' rights, and ensure justice.
The organisations urged the concerned department to take
immediate and stringent measures, to investigate and halt ongoing illegal
mining and extraction activities.
