The tragic incident at an illegal coal mine in Umrangso, Dima Hasao district, has sparked a political storm, with opposition parties blaming the Assam government for “utter negligence” and demanding a high-level judicial probe. The mine, which was operating in defiance of a ban on rat-hole mining, flooded on Monday, trapping several workers. Rescue operations, involving state and central agencies, entered their fourth day on Thursday, with the body of one miner recovered and eight others still missing. The mishap occurred at the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry, approximately 250 km from Guwahati, when a sudden water surge inundated the site. Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah criticized the government’s inaction, stating, “No inquiry has been initiated, and the culprits behind the coal syndicate remain untouched. The administration’s failure to ensure safety and accountability is appalling.” The Congress announced district-wide sit-ins on Friday to protest the tragedy.
Meanwhile, left-wing organizations, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Student Federation of India (SFI), and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), staged protests in Guwahati, condemning the lack of safety measures at the mine. “The government is shielding those responsible for this illegal operation,” said CITU state general secretary Tapan Sarma. The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) accused the administration of a cover-up, alleging the arrest of a “proxy culprit” to protect the coal smuggling syndicate. AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi demanded a judicial inquiry to expose the “political and administrative nexus” enabling illegal mining. Rat-hole coal mining, banned by the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT), remains rampant in parts of Assam, including Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, and Tinsukia districts. The National Green Tribunal prohibited this hazardous practice in 2014 due to its environmental and safety risks.
Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev also questioned the legality of the mine. “How did this illegal operation continue unchecked for so long? The government owes the people answers,” she said, demanding compensation for affected families. A senior Assam Police official confirmed the mine’s illegal status, acknowledging that such operations persist despite strict bans. The opposition’s united demand for accountability has intensified pressure on the BJP-led state government to act against the coal mafia and ensure the safety of industrial workers.