**Title:** Assam Government Urged to Release Coal Mine Tragedy Report
**Meta Description:** An influential organization in Assam demands the release of the judicial inquiry report on the Umrangso coal mine tragedy, highlighting ongoing illegal mining issues.
**URL Slug:** assam-coal-mine-tragedy-report
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**Assam Government Urged to Release Coal Mine Tragedy Report**
An influential organization in Assam is calling on the state government to publish the long-awaited report from the judicial inquiry commission that investigated the tragic rat-hole coal mine incident in Umrangso, Dima Hasao district, which occurred earlier this year. On January 6, 2025, nine workers became trapped in a flooded coal mine, leading to a grueling 44-day search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies, including the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). All nine bodies were eventually recovered, with the last five found on February 19.
In response to the disaster, the state government established a judicial commission led by retired Gauhati High Court judge Justice Anima Hazarika. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had assured the public that the report would be submitted within three months. However, six months later, the report remains undisclosed.
Daniel Langthasa, convenor of the Sixth Schedule Protection Committee and a former member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), criticized the delay, describing it as a betrayal of the victims’ families. “The commission was given three months. Six months have passed, but the government has not shared the report. There is no update, and those responsible for the illegal mining that caused this tragedy are yet to be punished,” Langthasa stated.
Despite a National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on rat-hole coal mining imposed in 2014, this hazardous and illegal practice continues to thrive in the hilly district. A survey conducted after the tragedy revealed that at least 220 illegal mines are operating in the Umrangso area alone. Langthasa questioned how such a large number of illegal mines could operate unnoticed under the oversight of the NCHAC, which is governed by the BJP. “How could the council be unaware of 220 mines? This is blatant negligence, if not complicity,” he alleged.
So far, one individual, Punish Nunisa, has been arrested in connection with the incident, but activists fear he may be a scapegoat while the larger network behind the illicit coal trade remains unaddressed. The Chief Minister had previously announced that the Mines and Minerals Department would work with central agencies to identify and shut down all illegal rat-hole mines, but local communities report no visible progress.
Langthasa also linked the activities of the mining mafia to broader governance failures in the insurgency-affected district, noting an increase in mysterious deaths, kidnappings, and drug abuse. He accused the council of neglecting its duty to protect tribal land rights, alleging that protected lands are being quietly transferred to private entities for coke plants and other industries without the consent of local village authorities.
Describing the situation as a “social crisis,” Langthasa warned that ongoing illegal mining, unchecked corruption, and a lack of accountability could drive more youth into drugs and crime. “People commit crimes when they lose hope in those in power,” he remarked.
The call for transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the Umrangso coal mine tragedy highlights the urgent need for the Assam government to address illegal mining practices and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
**FAQ**
**What is the current status of the judicial inquiry report on the Umrangso coal mine tragedy?**
The judicial inquiry report, which was expected to be released within three months, has not been disclosed even after six months, prompting calls for transparency from local organizations.
