Langthasa said there had been several mine tragedies in the district in the past but justice was denied to the families of the victims. He asked how rat-hole coal mining continued in the district when the National Green Tribunal had banned it in 2014.During an examination conducted after the mine incident, authorities found the presence of 220 mines in the Umrangso area. The chief minister had then stated that the Mines and Minerals Department would take steps to close all existing rat-hole mines wherever they are found, in consultation with central agencies.Langthasa asked how the NCHAC, which administers the district, had no idea about the illegal operation of such a huge number of mines. The autonomous council is ruled by the BJP. Debolal Gorlosa is its Chief Executive Member.Meanwhile, Langthasa expressed deep concern over mysterious deaths and kidnappings in the district that was hit by militancy for a few years until the insurgent groups making peace with the government.“There have been several cases in the recent years where people were killed or kidnapped. The families are still waiting for justice,” Langthasa said.His father Nindu Langthasa, then a member of the council, and then Chief Executive Member Purnendu Langthasa, were murdered in 2007. He said the two families have been waiting for justice for 18 years.He said it was a social crisis that the youth of the district were taking to drugs and indulging in crimes, including theft and dacoity.“These things have been happening for last 4-5 years. We never had such things in our society earlier,” Langthasa said, adding that people commit such crimes when they have no expectation from those in power.He alleged that the land in the district, protected for tribals, is being converted to private land and given to private parties.“The council is empowered to protect customary laws and land laws. But land is now being given to private parties for coke and other industries without consulting village authorities,” he alleged.
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