Militant outfit Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA), which announced its formation in early 2019, has threatened to stop coal mining in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.

In a release, the DNLA said: “Coal is a non-renewable resource and its mining causes disaster. Its transportation damages roads in our tribal areas. We should preserve the natural resources instead of allowing mining in our area.”

The release also warned to immediately stop coal mining in the hill districts, pack up all vehicles and withdraw workforce within a week.

“If anyone defies, there will be no mercy and action will be taken ,”the release added.

There are total six coal mines in the hill districts, three mines at Bokolia, Silonijan and Dillai in Karbi Anglong district are run illegally .

In Dima Hasao, one mine along the Meghalaya border is legal but the mines at Dorbinship and Nine Kilo in Umrangsu are being run illegally.

In 2019 during extraction of coal at Dorbinship, a youth was critically injured when part of a cave collapsed. Residents of Umrongso demanded compensation from the owner of the mine, but to no avail.

Several organisations of Karbi Anglong had submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner for illegal extraction of coal.