Boko: Assam Forest Minister and Kamrup District Guardian Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, visited Lepgaon village in Boko on Wednesday to address concerns over sand gravel mining in the Boko River, conducted by the Assam Minerals Corporation. Local villagers from Lepgaon, Compaduli, and surrounding areas have been protesting against the mining, citing its detrimental impact on the environment and safety.
The visit follows the recent drowning of two individuals, including a school student, in the Boko River at Lepgaon. Accompanied by Kamrup DC Deba Kumar Mishra, Superintendent of Police Ranjan Bhuyan, and Kamrup West Division DFO Subodh Talukdar, the minister met with the local communities, including Garo, Rabha, Boro, Koch Rajbongshi, and Gurkha representatives, to discuss their grievances.
Local organizations, including the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Border Area Development Youth Organization, and Border Women’s Welfare, submitted a joint memorandum opposing the sand mining activities. The memorandum outlined eight specific points of concern and urged immediate action.
The current mining contract, signed between the Kamrup West Division DFO and Assam Mineral Development Corporation on January 9, 2023, has come under scrutiny due to allegations of illegal practices and environmental degradation.
During the public meeting, Johnson A. Sangma, leader of the Border Area Youths Development Organisation, highlighted the harmful effects of the mining, including a decline in water levels, damage to farmland, and river pollution. He also claimed that overloaded trucks transporting sand would soon damage the newly constructed Boko-Kompaduli road.
Sangma emphasized that unregulated mining poses a severe threat to the environment, aquatic life, and local livelihoods. He further alleged that the mining operations had violated government regulations, leading to the deaths of two individuals, including a villager in May 2024 and a 15-year-old student in September 2024. The affected families have yet to receive compensation.
GSU Assam State Zone President, Foldin R. Marak, called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to halt the mining activities immediately. Marak stated that GSU, along with local residents, would escalate the issue by submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister if no action is taken.
In addition, the GSU Hahim Regional Unit reported the deaths of two wild elephants in the Hahim River due to illegal sand and gravel mining, urging the Forest Minister to intervene.
Responding to the concerns, Minister Patowary acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Two people, including a school student, have tragically lost their lives in the Boko River. The Chief Minister has directed us to investigate and address the issue. We will submit a report and ensure appropriate action is taken.”
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