Tribal Groups Oppose Coal Mining Project in Tinsukia District

Strong Opposition to Coal Mining in Tirap Tribal Belt

DOOMDOOMA, Feb 26: Tribal groups from the Tirap Tribal Belt have expressed significant resistance against the proposed open-cast coal mining initiative by North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) at Saliki village in Lekhapani, located within the 83rd Margherita Legislative Assembly Constituency of Tinsukia district.

During a recent press conference, representatives from various tribal organizations, along with local residents of the historic Saliki village, accused NEC, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, of making unilateral moves to initiate open-cast mining without adequately consulting the affected community.

Leaders from these organizations asserted that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) was acquired during a meeting of the Tirap Colliery Gaon Panchayat without the informed consent of Saliki villagers. They condemned this action as arbitrary and detrimental to the interests of the local indigenous populations.

Nayung Mossang, president of the All Assam Tangsa Students’ Union, highlighted that the Tirap Frontier Tract was established during British rule in 1943 to protect indigenous communities such as the Singpho, Tangsa, Sema Naga, and Tai-speaking groups, including Tai Phake and Tai Khamti.

He further noted that post-Independence, the Government of Assam officially recognized the Tirap Frontier Tract as the Tirap Tribal Belt through notification No. TAD/R73/50/43 dated March 13, 1951, aimed at safeguarding the land, culture, and rights of tribal people. He pointed out that this area was historically part of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) before administrative changes.

Mossang accused the NEC management of attempting to convert the historic Saliki village into a coal dumping site, warning that such actions would harm the region's biodiversity and obliterate its historical and cultural significance.

The tribal organizations are demanding clear boundary demarcation, maintenance of safety distances, environmentally safe mining practices, proper rehabilitation and welfare measures, job reservations for local youth, and sufficient contractual opportunities.