Assam: Tangsa student union protests against coal dumping proposal in Malu Gaon, vows to protect heritage

In a powerful display of unity, over 500 residents of Malu Gaon, joined by the All Assam Tangsa Student Union (AATSU) and the Tangsa Jatiyo Parishad, held a massive dharna on Monday, protesting the Assam BJP-led government's plan to establish a coal dumping ground in their village. The protest was also directed against Northeastern Coalfields Coal India Ltd (NEC CIL) in Margherita, whose involvement has intensified local opposition.

The Tangsa community, which has a rich history in the region, views the project as a direct threat to their ancestral lands. Nong Yongkuk, President of the Tangsa Jatiyo Parishad, voiced the community's frustration, revealing that repeated appeals to key officials—including the General Manager of NEC CIL, Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma, and the Tinsukia District Commissioner—had been met with silence. "Despite our continuous requests, the authorities remain unresponsive. If this coal dumping ground is established, our village will face inevitable displacement," he warned.

Nayung Mossang, President of AATSU stated, "We will not allow this coal dumping ground to be built. We are prepared to resist with our very lives, standing firm against the BJP-led governments at both the state and central levels, along with NEC CIL and local authorities."

Malu Gaon, home to over 200 indigenous Tangsa families, faces the threat of displacement if the project moves forward. The protest highlights the broader struggle between economic development and the preservation of indigenous cultures and rights, with the Tangsa community standing firm in their fight to protect their homeland.

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