Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sought photographic evidence and geographical locations from anyone alleging illegal coal mining in Sivasagar district, saying he would order action if the claims were substantiated.
“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 Mining and Geology Department had repeatedly been asked to verify allegations of illegal coal mining in Sivasagar but had reported that no such activity was taking place in the district.
Sarma said coal mining was taking place in Nagaland but denied that similar mining was occurring in Nazira in Sivasagar. He also cautioned against linking the coal mining activities in Margherita with allegations concerning Sivasagar.
He said he had repeatedly directed the Mining Department to verify the claims and would personally intervene if credible evidence of illegal mining in Sivasagar was provided.
Sarma urged people to distinguish between areas where coal mining was actually taking place and those where there was no such activity, and called for specific evidence to support allegations of illegal mining.
