Blatant negligence: Activists slam delay in Assam coal mine tragedy report
Daniel Langthasa, convenor of the Sixth Schedule Protection Committee and a former member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), lashed out at the government for the delay.'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are yet to be punished,' he said.Despite a 2014 ban by the National Green Tribunal, rat-hole mining - a hazardous and outdated method - continues unchecked across Umrangso.A post-tragedy survey found at least 220 illegal rat-hole coal mines operating in the area. Langthasa questioned the role of the BJP-ruled NCHAC, asking, 'How could the council be unaware of 220 mines? This is blatant negligence, if not complicity.'So far, only one person - Punish Nunisa - has been arrested in the case, but activists fear he is being made a scapegoat. They allege a larger, more powerful network of illegal mining operators remains untouched.While the Chief Minister had earlier announced that all illegal mines would be identified and shut down with help from central agencies, locals say little has changed on the ground. 'There is no visible action. Illegal mining continues. The government must act,' Langthasa said.He also linked the illegal mining ecosystem to broader law and order issues in the insurgency-hit district. Pointing to a rise in kidnappings, mysterious deaths and drug abuse, he accused the NCHAC of failing to protect tribal land and allowing the quiet transfer of protected land to private coke plant operators without village council approval.Calling the situation a 'social crisis,' Langthasa warned of long-term consequences. 'People commit crimes when they lose hope in those in power,' he said, urging the government to make the commission's report public, punish those responsible, and ensure justice for the families of the victims.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
35 minutes ago
- News18
‘Shall I Speak In Marathi?' PM Modi's Banter With Ujjwal Nikam Amid Language Debate
Last Updated: PM Modi personally informed Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam of his nomination to the Rajya Sabha in a candid call. Moments after Ujjwal Nikam, the Special Public Prosecutor in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, he revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally informed him about his nomination. Nikam said PM Modi candidly called him to inform about his nomination to the upper house of the parliament and had started speaking in Marathi. 'Yesterday, PM Narendra Modi called me to inform about my nomination. He asked me if he should talk in Hindi or in Marathi. Both of us started laughing," he said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Mumbai: On being nominated to the Rajya Sabha, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam says, " I thank President Droupadi Murmu for nominating me… When I met PM Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha election campaigning, he expressed his faith in me. Yesterday, PM Narendra… — ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2025 Nikam further said that the Prime Minister informed him about the president's decision to which he immediately acknowledged and agreed. 'He then spoke to me in Marathi and told me that the President wants to give me responsibility, after which he informed me about the President's decision. I immediately said yes. I thank the party leadership…" he added. Language Row In Maharashtra The interaction between the two came at a time when the Thackeray brothers– Shiv Sena (UBT's) Uddhav Thackeray and MNS' Raj Thackeray– have targeted the BJP-led state government for trying to 'impose' Hindi in Maharashtra and migrants for not speaking Marathi. Earlier today, an auto-rickshaw driver in Maharashtra's Palghar was thrashed in public, allegedly by the supporters of Uddhav Sena and Raj Thackeray's MNS over his refusal to speak Marathi. A video of the auto-rickshaw driver, a migrant, went viral, showing him arguing with another migrant from Uttar Pradesh, Bhavesh Padolia, at Virar station. He said in the video that he would only speak Hindi when he was asked why he was not speaking in Marathi. Last week, MNS workers threw stones and vandalised the office of a businessman named Sushil Kedia, who had earlier issued an open dare to Raj Thackeray, stating that he would not be intimidated by MNS workers or be forced to learn Marathi under pressure. Earlier this month, a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Mira Road was assaulted after he allegedly refused to speak in Marathi. Nikam Nominated To Rajya Sabha In a Gazette notification put out by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday, four members were nominated to the Upper House of the Parliament, which comprised people from varied backgrounds, including diplomacy, the legal fraternity, historian, and social worker. Among the nominees is Ujjwal Nikam, one of India's most distinguished public prosecutors, best known for serving as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial and several other high-profile criminal cases. The three other nominees include seasoned diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, historian Dr Meenakshi Jain, and Kerala-based teacher and social worker C. Sadanandan Master. view comments First Published: July 13, 2025, 17:11 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"No dispute between UP, Maharashtra": Shiv Sena-UBT's Anand Dubey on language row
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 13 (ANI): Responding to the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Sunday said there is no conflict between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, highlighting that both states have shared cultural ties for the past four years. Dubey asserted that there's no conflict between Hindi and Marathi, accusing BJP of trying to frame Shiv Sena-UBT and MNS as anti-Hindi. 'There is no dispute between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The cultural ties between the two states go back over 400 years... Few incidents cannot define the relationship between communities. A person living in Mumbai is first a Mumbaikar, regardless of language,' the Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson said. 'And there's no conflict between Hindi and Marathi. The BJP tries to frame Shiv Sena or MNS as anti-Hindi, which is untrue... We've come to Uttar Pradesh to honour the Kanwar Yatra and pay our respects to the sacred land of the Ganga and Yamuna... Mumbai is our mother and identity. BJP's corrupt politics aim to loot the city and hand over precious land to big industrialists. Since the Thackeray brothers reunited, BJP leaders like Amit Shah and Eknath Shinde feel threatened,' he added. On the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, he said, 'Calling critics 'urban Naxals' is outrageous... In a democracy, dissent is not terrorism... We strongly oppose BJP's attempts to silence voices and urge the Governor of Maharashtra to intervene and stop this Bill.' A controversy over the three-language policy has sparked a political row in Maharashtra in recent days. In recent developments, tensions have escalated between the Marathi and Hindi-speaking communities in the Mira-Bhayandar region. These circumstances have prompted extensive protests and marches, fostering a climate of stress and animosity in the area, according to an official press release. The emergence of such unrest is indeed regrettable and underscores the necessity for constructive dialogue and conflict resolution, the Maharashtra Congress stated in the press release. In recent developments, tensions have escalated between the Marathi and Hindi-speaking communities in the Mira-Bhayandar region. These circumstances have prompted extensive protests and marches, fostering a climate of stress and animosity in the area, according to an official press release. The emergence of such unrest is indeed regrettable and underscores the necessity for constructive dialogue and conflict resolution, the Maharashtra Congress stated in the press release. The release additionally mentioned that the workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, at the Asmita Club in Naya Nagar, Mira Road. It will be attended by Marathi and Hindi-speaking residents from the Mira-Bhayandar area, as well as Congress office-bearers and workers. The party asserts that the principle of unity in diversity is a defining characteristic of India. Individuals from various castes, religions, and linguistic backgrounds coexist harmoniously within the nation, the press release stated. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Tripura Governor expresses condolences on the demise of veteran Telugu Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao
Agartala (Tripura) [India], July 13 (ANI): Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu has expressed deep grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the family of veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away recently. In an official statement, the Governor described the demise as an 'irreparable loss to the Telugu film industry.' Expressing his shock and sorrow, Governor Reddy said, 'The demise of the renowned actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who won the affection of cinema audiences with his versatile roles, is deeply saddening. His artistic contributions to the fields of cinema and theatre over nearly four decades, and the roles he portrayed, will remain unforgettable.' Governor Reddy Nallu recalled the actor's legacy in Indian cinema, particularly in Telugu films, where he left a lasting impression through a wide range of powerful performances, especially as a villain and character artist. 'The numerous memorable roles he played will forever stay etched in the hearts of Telugu audiences,' he added. Apart from his contribution to cinema, the Governor also acknowledged Kota Srinivasa Rao's service in public life. The late actor was elected as an MLA from Vijayawada in 1999, further underlining his commitment to the people. Governor Reddy concluded his message by offering his profound condolences to the bereaved family and praying for strength and peace during this difficult time. On offering tributes to veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao said on Sunday, 'Kota Srinivasa Rao was a senior artist in the Telugu film industry. He was also a BJP MLA and party leader. His demise today has put the entire cine industry in a state of mourning. His death is a loss not just to the Telugu Film Industry, but also to the entire Indian film industry and also to the BJP...' (ANI)
