Kemprai’s complaint focused on unregulated coal mining by criminals, Langthasa’s petition exposed a wider conspiracy.
Digital Desk: Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Dima Hasao S. Chanda issued an order for the Umrangso Police Station officer-in-charge to file a legal case against Kanika Hojai who is the wife of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Debolal Hojai after the fatal 3 Kilo mine disaster at Assam's Umrangso, that claimed more than 20 lives. The order follows a criminal petition that Pitush Langthasa presented which links the mining disaster to Kanika Hojai's illegal mining activities.
The evidence presented by Langthasa shows that Kanika Hojai participated in illegal rat-hole mining at the 3 Kilo site through her status as an AMDC-registered coal customer, established by the transit pass. Langthasa lodged his complaint with Umrangso police on 10th January about violations that breached three laws: Environment Protection Act (1986), Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (1957), and Forest Conservation Act (1980). However, the police only recorded the GD entry, but they ignored filing an FIR and carrying out investigation procedures.
The second complaint was filed after police had not initiated any action, involving a petition to the Dima Hasao Superintendent of Police on 17th January .Court officials realized the importance of Langthasa's protest because his allegations differed from previous complaints filed by AMDC senior manager Prasenjit Kemprai on 7th January . The original complaint from Kemprai addressed unauthorised criminal coal mining activities but Langthasa's petition exposed a wider plot showing Hojai gained advantages from prohibited mining, even though both the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal imposed bans.
The court has ordered Umrangso police to transform Langthasa's complaint into an official FIR while directing a complete investigation of the matter. The court also noted that an SIT, already investigating the case based on Kemprai’s complaint, should focus separately on the 10th January complaint due to its wider implications. The next hearing is scheduled for 23rd April, to review the progress of the investigation.
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