Peasants’ leader and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) adviser Akhil Gogoi came up with an explosive allegation on Monday that rampant coal theft is going on unabated at Margherita in Tinsukia district.
Gogoi while addressing media persons on Monday, alleged, “Police and administration are hand-in-glove with the coal thieves and despite repeated complaints, they have not taken any action against coal theft.”
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Displaying copies of 56 FIRs, he said, “A group of 600-700 people steal coals till almost 2 am at night. They come fully armed with axes and other weapons and steal coals from railway sidings.”
The farmers’ leader added, “Police are well aware about this. Yet, they haven’t taken any step which shows they are also involved in the whole affair.”
Gogoi informed that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has come to know about this and has ordered a full-fledged investigation into the matter.
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“The NGT has also passed an order against illegal mining in Dehing-Patkai,” he said.
He termed Ledo as the worst affected place from this menace.
“We have the copies of 31 FIRs registered with Ledo Police Outpost in 2017 and 24 FIRs in 2016. Copies of these FIRs have gone to the Margherita Circle Officer, Margherita SDPO and Field Area Manager, North East, Coal India Limited, but nothing has been done to eradicate this syndicate so far,” he rued.
Also commenting on the two-day Advantage Assam-Global Investors’ Summit concluded in Guwahati on Sunday, Gogoi said, “Vibrant Gujarat and Advantage Assam, both are same. Their only aim is to hand over indigenous goods to the capitalists.”
“Many companies which have signed MoUs are actually fake organisations. Have the people of Gujarat benefited from Vibrant Gujarat? Still 40 pc of Gujarat’s population is below poverty line,” he claimed.
Regarding the proposed 65-storeyed twin tower to be built in Basistha, the KMMSS leader said, “Rather than spending so much of money on the twin tower in Guwahati, had they spent this amount for the aid of people in flood and erosion affected area, it would have been welcomed.”