Assam: Residents of Malu Gaon protest against forced coal dumping by NEC CIL Margherita

Tensions escalated in Malu Gaon, Ledo, as hundreds of Tangsa community members staged a mass protest on Saturday against the alleged forceful dumping of coal waste by Northeastern Coalfields Coal India Ltd (NEC CIL) at Tikak Colliery.

Residents of the historic Malu village, which has been home to the Tangsa community for centuries, voiced their strong opposition to the coal dumping, which they claim is turning their ancestral land into a waste site. Protesters gathered from the early morning hours, holding placards and chanting slogans to demand an immediate halt to the dumping activities.

Nayung Mossang, President of the All Assam Tangsa Students’ Union (AATSU), condemned NEC CIL Margherita’s actions, stating, “It is extremely unfortunate that the management wants to turn our historic village into a dumping ground. We will resist this move till our last drop of blood.” The protesters fear that coal dumping will not only degrade their land but also have severe environmental and health repercussions.

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When approached for a statement, NEC CIL Margherita officials remained firm on their stance, asserting that the coal dumping activities will proceed as planned, despite the resistance from local residents.

The situation remains tense, with villagers determined to continue their agitation until their demands are met. 

The protest highlights the growing friction between industrial expansion and indigenous rights in Assam’s coal-rich regions.