Gauhati High Court: On 28-01-2025, the Division Bench of Vijay Bishnoi*, CJ., and Kaushik Goswami, J., took suo motu cognizance of the coal mine tragedy that took place in Umrangso, Dima Hasao, Assam and directed the State to file a status report on the actions taken by it for curbing rat hole mining in Assam by 07-02-2025.
The Court took notice of various reports which suggested that more than 200 rat-hole mines were operating in the Umrangso area. The Court also noted that in the Karbi Anglong district, rat-hole mining was rampant, and it was either going unnoticed or the authorities were not taking any action to stop or close them despite having knowledge.
Noting the aforesaid, the Court issued notice to the State and its authorities. The Court also directed the State to file its response to the present petition and a status report regarding the action taken by it to stop rat-hole coal mining in Assam by the next date of hearing, i.e., 07-02-2025.
[In Re- Dima Hasao Tragedy v. State of Assam, 2025 SCC OnLine Gau 221, decided on 28-01-2025]
*Authored by Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the petitioner: P.P. Dutta and Senior Advocate/Standing Counsel T.J. Mahanta
For the respondent: Advocate General of Assam D. Saikia, Senior Government Advocate D. Nath, and P. Barua
