Umrangso  coal mine tragedy: BJP leader’s wife booked over deaths of 20 labourers

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 17, 2025

Police have registered an FIR against Kanika Hojai, wife of BJP leader and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member (CEM) Debolal Gorlosa, in connection with the illegal rat-hole mining tragedy in Umrangso that killed more than 20 miners on January 6.

The FIR (No. 08/2025, GR Case No. 51/2025) was filed at Umrangso Police Station following a directive issued on April 6 by Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Dima Hasao, S. Chanda. The order was based on a petition filed by activist Pitush Langthasa, who alleged that Hojai was directly involved in operating the illegal mine at the 3 Kilo site, where a sudden flood led to mass casualties.

Langthasa submitted documents showing Hojai as a registered coal customer with the Assam Mining Development Corporation (AMDC), suggesting official support for the banned activity. Rat-hole mining has been outlawed by the National Green Tribunal since 2014 and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in 2015, yet operations at 3 Kilo allegedly continued under political protection.

Langthasa’s initial complaint to police on January 10 was ignored—only a General Diary (GD) entry was made. After follow-up efforts failed, he approached the CJM court, which found his allegations substantially different from those in an earlier complaint filed on January 7 by AMDC official Prasenjit Kemprai. At the same time, Kemprai blamed “unknown miscreants,” Langthasa named Kanika Hojai and claimed a deeper conspiracy.

In its ruling, the CJM court stated, “The January 10 complaint reveals a broader conspiracy and brings forward critical new facts.” The court also directed the Superintendent of Police to forward the order to the Director General of Police, Assam. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by CID DSP Upen Kalita is already probing the January 7 case (Umrangso PS Case No. 2/2025), but the court emphasized Langthasa’s complaint warranted a separate, parallel investigation due to its scope and evidence.

Langthasa has called for immediate legal action under multiple laws, including Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Environment Protection Act (1986), the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (1957), and the Forest Conservation Act (1980).

“This isn’t just about illegal mining—it’s about criminal negligence, systemic failure, and exploitation protected by power,” Langthasa said.

The incident has sparked widespread public anger and mounting pressure on authorities to act against both unauthorized miners and their alleged enablers within the political establishment. As investigations unfold, the case is shaping up to be one of Assam’s most explosive environmental and political scandals in recent memory.