Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has asked people claiming that illegal coal mining is taking place in Sivasagar district to provide photographic evidence along with the exact geographical location, saying he would take action if the allegations are found to be true. “If somebody says there is illegal coal mining in Sivasagar, send me the photograph with the geographic location. I will take action,” Sarma said. The Chief Minister said the state government had repeatedly sought information from the Mining and Geology Department regarding allegations of illegal coal mining in Sivasagar. According to him, the department has maintained that there is no illegal coal mining taking place in the district. Sarma said there was a need to clearly distinguish between locations where coal mining is actually taking place and areas where no such activity has been reported. He specifically referred to coal mining activities in neighbouring Nagaland and said these should not be confused with the situation in Sivasagar district.
“Coal mining is taking place in Nagaland, but not in Nazira in Sivasagar district,” he said. The Chief Minister also questioned the relevance of references to coal mining in Margherita while discussing the allegations concerning Sivasagar. “People are now saying coal mining is in Margherita. What is the relation of Margherita coal mining with this?” he asked, reiterating that his remarks were specifically related to Sivasagar district. Sarma said he had personally asked the Mining Department several times to verify the allegations. However, officials had informed him that there was no illegal coal mining in the district. “I have asked the Mining Department several times, but they said there is no illegal coal mining,” he said. The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid allegations and discussions over illegal coal mining in different parts of Assam and neighbouring areas. He said allegations relating specifically to Sivasagar should be supported by concrete evidence so that the government can verify the claims and take appropriate action.
Sarma urged those making such allegations to provide photographs and precise geographical locations instead of relying on general claims. He reiterated that if evidence of illegal coal mining in Sivasagar is produced, he would personally intervene and ensure that action is taken. The statement also sought to draw a clear distinction between coal mining activities in different regions, particularly Nagaland and Margherita, and the specific allegation concerning Sivasagar district.