The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Assam government and its various departments over rampant rat-hole coal mining and asked them to furnish what steps they have taken to stop the unlawful activity. Taking suo motu cognizance of the Dima Hasao coal mining tragedy, the high court registered a public interest litigation on Monday and issued notices the next day to seven government departments, including the office of the chief secretary.
“The court has taken note of various reports which suggest that around more than 200 rat-hole mines are in operation in Umrangso area,” the divisional bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kaushik Goswami, said in the order.
