Protests over coal mining in Assam gets ULFA support

United Liberation Front of Assam in a video message supported the protest over coal mining in Dehing Patka, and threatened the state govt of dire consequences on executing the plan.

Tinsukia: Assam's outlawed organisation United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) on Wednesday issued threat to the government regarding the extraction of coal in 98.59 hectares of land at Dehing Patkai in Saleki.

ULFA faction's publicity secretary, Rupak Asom said "We are opposing the mining in Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary. However, we are not shocked as unique bio diversity of the wildlife sanctuary has no meaning for the Indian government," said Rupak Asom in a video message on Wednesday.

"We warn all not to eye the resources in Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary failing which we will be forced to react," he said.

The issue of proposed coal mining at Saleki near Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary had already triggered protests in different parts of Assam. While the students of the Gauhati University had started a series of online protests #SaveDehingPatkai, different student unions like All Moran Students' Union, Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) also participated in the protest.

The National Board of Wild Life (NBWL) had recently decided to allow mining in 98.59 hectare land at Saleki near the Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary which has led to debates across the state over the state government's move.

Spread across eastern Assam's Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts, the Dehing Patkai is one of the largest rain forests in India, often dubbed as the Amazon of the East for its rich bio diversity. Dehing Patkai region which is already threatened by high polluting industries, such as coal mines, oil refineries, gas drilling, affecting the biodiversity of the region is facing a still graver menace.

According to official statistics, the sanctuary hosts around 293 different species of birds. It is also an elephant reserve.