Umrangso Mine Tragedy: Committee Alleges CEM Debolal Gorlosa Linked to Illegal Mining

Months after the tragic coal mine collapse in Umrangso that claimed nine lives, calls are growing louder in Assam’s Dima Hasao district for the state government to make the findings of the One-Man Inquiry Commission public.

The Sixth Schedule Protection Committee, a local civil society group, has urged the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government to release the report prepared by Justice (Retd) Anima Hazarika, who was appointed to probe the incident after public outrage.

Daniel Langthasa, Convenor of the committee and former member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), said the report is of “urgent public interest” and should not be kept under wraps any longer.

Langthasa also made serious allegations against the current Chief Executive Member (CEM) of NCHAC, Debolal Gorlosa, and his wife Kanika Hojai. According to him, the couple has been linked to illegal rat-hole mining in the district for years. 

He said, “Kanika Hojai is officially listed as a customer of Assam Mineral Development Corporation. How can the CEM, who has powers over land and forest under the Sixth Schedule, not know about over 100 illegal rat-hole mines operating in his own district?”

Langthasa believes the authorities were either turning a blind eye or were directly profiting from these illegal operations. “This has been going on for years, but no action was taken. Only when nine poor miners died, the issue came to light,” he said, demanding that those responsible face punishment.

He stressed that until accountability is fixed, the illegal coal mining will continue in new forms. “Justice must be served, or these activities will quietly restart,” Langthasa warned.

Speaking further, he said the district has seen an alarming rise in mysterious deaths and kidnappings in recent years. “Dima Hasao was always a peaceful place, barring a few incidents in the early 2000s. But lately, we’ve seen too many deaths and kidnappings — and no real investigations. It’s disturbing,” he said.

Langthasa also raised concerns about corruption and unaccounted development funds in the district, calling for a fair investigation into financial irregularities. He added that illegal weapons are still circulating in the hills, fueling crime and fear among residents.

The activist also recalled a personal tragedy, the killing of his father, Nindu Langthasa, in 2007. “My father, who was then an executive member of NCHAC, was murdered along with CEM Purnendu Langthasa. Even after 18 years, we are still waiting for justice,” he said.

Daniel Langthasa said the family plans to approach higher courts to seek a proper probe, possibly by central agencies like the CBI or NIA. “The accused in my father’s case were later given constitutional powers. That hurts even more,” he said.

In January this year, nine workers died after getting trapped inside an illegal coal mine in Umrangso. The state government formed a one-member inquiry panel under Justice Hazarika to look into the incident. Since then, there has been growing public pressure to release the report and initiate strict action against those involved.

Also Read: “Start Counting Your Days”: Audio Clip Reveals CEM Debolal Gorlosa Threatening To Kill Man