Illegal coal mining has once again come under scrutiny in Assam after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he would act if evidence of such activity inside Sivasagar district was provided with photographs and exact locations. His remarks came amid an intense debate over the role of mining and environmental degradation in the devastating floods that hit Upper Assam.
Himanta asks people to share evidence
Sarma’s comments came during his visit to flood-affected areas of Sivasagar on August 4, as residents raised concerns about stone and sand extraction in the district. The chief minister maintained that there was no illegal mining taking place inside Assam, while stressing that specific evidence could be examined and acted upon.
The statement assumes significance because allegations of unauthorised mining have increased since the floods caused widespread destruction across Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat. Opposition parties and several organisations have alleged that mining along the Assam-Nagaland border worsened the impact of the disaster.
Sarma, however, said Assam does not have jurisdiction over mining activities taking place in neighbouring Nagaland. He argued that any decision concerning mining in Nagaland would require discussions with the Nagaland government and the Centre.
Illegal coal mining debate grows after floods
The controversy over illegal coal mining has intensified following one of the most severe flood episodes witnessed in Upper Assam in recent years.
The floods particularly affected areas close to the Assam-Nagaland border. Sarma said many people in the affected areas depend on coal and sand mining-related activities for their livelihoods. He also said people themselves should consider whether illegal activities should continue.
At the same time, the chief minister said the exact link between mining and the scale of the floods needed to be established scientifically. He pointed to heavy rainfall and water flowing down from the hills of Nagaland as important factors behind the flooding.
According to reports, at least 87 people had died in the flood wave by August 4, while nearly 1.3 lakh people were affected. The situation renewed demands for stricter action against unauthorised extraction and better coordination between Assam and Nagaland.
Sivasagar residents raise mining concerns
Residents of flood-hit Sivasagar have raised concerns about mining along the Dikhow River and nearby areas. The issue is not new.
A 2022 inspection by Assam’s Water Resources Department had warned about extensive sand and stone excavation along the Dikhow riverbank near Bamunpukhuri Tea Estate. Officials had cautioned that continued excavation could alter the river’s configuration and cause damage to nearby areas and downstream stretches.
Those earlier warnings have gained fresh attention after the recent floods. The Dikhow overflowed in parts of Sivasagar, inundating villages and damaging homes, agricultural land and other property.
While heavy rainfall was the immediate trigger, experts and environmental groups have questioned whether mining, deforestation, hill cutting and increased sediment flow may have contributed to the severity of the flooding.
Opposition presses for action
Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to adequately address mining-related concerns. Congress and other political groups have alleged that illegal coal and sand extraction along the Assam-Nagaland border contributed to the flood disaster.
The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti also claimed to have collected photographs showing alleged large-scale coal mining in hills along the border. The organisation demanded an investigation and argued that prolonged environmental damage had worsened the flood situation. These remain allegations and have not been independently established as the sole cause of the floods.
The political dispute has also focused on jurisdiction. Sarma has repeatedly said that coal mining in the areas being discussed takes place in Nagaland and that Assam cannot directly regulate mining operations in another state. He has indicated that the issue could be taken up through the Centre after the flood situation improves.
Scientific assessment remains crucial
The debate over illegal coal mining has also highlighted the need for evidence-based assessment of the causes of the floods. Researchers have pointed to a combination of excessive rainfall and human activity, including excavation along river valleys and deforestation.
A Gauhati University geography professor studying the floods said satellite imagery showed extensive excavation along river valleys, which could increase mud flow and reduce river-carrying capacity.
Sarma has similarly maintained that experts should determine the extent to which mining contributed to the disaster rather than drawing conclusions prematurely.
For Sivasagar residents, however, the demand is immediate: if unauthorised mining exists within Assam, it should be identified, investigated and stopped. The chief minister’s call for photographs and precise locations puts the focus on verifiable evidence and administrative action.
As Assam moves from flood relief towards rehabilitation and an assessment of the disaster’s causes, the controversy surrounding mining is unlikely to disappear. A transparent investigation, stronger monitoring and coordination with neighbouring states could determine whether allegations of environmental damage translate into concrete action.
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