Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said concerns over mining activities in Nagaland and their possible role in triggering floods in Upper Assam need to be examined through scientific studies, while stating that his government has no jurisdiction over activities outside the state.
Sarma’s remarks came during his visit to flood-affected areas of Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, where residents had raised concerns over stone and sand mining in the Dikhu River region. Opposition parties and social organisations in Assam have alleged that illegal mining in border areas, including parts of Nagaland, contributed to the severity of the recent floods.
“Every year, these areas of Assam get flooded because water enters from the hilly areas of Nagaland. This was not the first time floods have affected villages. It did not happen due to illegal mining,” media reports cited Sarma as saying.
Clarifying his position on mining in Nagaland, he said Assam could not directly intervene in activities in another state. “Nagaland has its own government. What policy the Nagaland government adopts is something we will have to discuss with the central government. If I say I will stop it, I must remember that I am only the CM of Assam,” he said.
Sarma said the issue would be raised with the Centre and stressed that the actual causes of the floods could only be determined through expert analysis. “This is not something politicians can answer. Satellite data and scientific analysis are needed to determine the reasons,” he said.
Suggesting that institutions such as IIT Guwahati or other expert agencies conduct a detailed study, Sarma said, “If politicians like us could answer such questions so easily, then there would be no need for experts. Geology is not my subject, nor is geography.”
The Chief Minister also said there was no illegal mining taking place in Assam, though the state could consider action against stone crushers operating within its jurisdiction if required. He added that many residents in the affected areas depended on mining-related activities for their livelihood.
“Almost all the people there are now dependent on mining for their livelihood. So I have told the local people that they themselves should take a decision,” he said.
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Sarma further claimed that coal mining linked to the affected areas takes place in Nagaland and not Assam. “Coal mining also does not take place in Assam, it happens in Nagaland. We cannot dictate what policy the Nagaland government will take,” he said.
“I am the Chief Minister of Assam. I cannot stop mining in Nagaland. I will raise the issue with the Centre. There is no illegal mining in Assam. We need a scientific study to determine the actual cause of the problem,” he said, adding that Nagaland itself had also been affected by floods, PTI reported.
Meanwhile, the Assam government announced that assessment of damage to flood-affected houses would begin from August 9 to speed up relief and rehabilitation. Sarma said nearly one lakh beneficiaries had already been identified for assistance.
The flood situation in Assam remained serious despite receding water levels in several areas. At least 87 people have died and around 1.3 lakh residents continue to be affected. Sarma said high water levels in the Brahmaputra had slowed drainage in several locations and that additional cross-drainage structures would be considered along highways obstructing natural water flow.
(With inputs from agencies)
