Jorhat emerging as illegal coal transit hub

JORHAT: Illegal coal trade in Jorhat district along the Assam-Nagaland border continues even after chief minister Tarun Gogoi expressed concern on the issue. Hundreds of trucks loaded with coal travel via the CM's constituency of Titabor and his hometown of Jorhat to reach Guwahati and other destinations during the night. Sources said coal is brought in from Khar, Maklumba, Manseng and Chanki area in Mukokchung district of Nagaland, but the police turns a blind eye to it.
Prabhat Phukan, officer in-charge of Titabor police station, said these trucks use the Mariani-Mokokchung road to reach different parts of the state, but reports say many are now using the Mukokchung-Titabor road. He said: "In April, we caught two illegal coal trucks after a deputy superintendent was deputed to Titabor. Since then no such truck has been seized."
P K Das, OC of Mariani police station, said: "It is true that some coal trucks are passing Mariani in Jorhat district. As per the law, trucks from Nagaland are not allowed to travel at night hours and they are thoroughly checked during the day."
The illegal coal trade based out of Nagaland has emerged as a concern aafter reports that it was a major source of income for militant outfits. At the recent CMs' conference on internal security in New Delhi, Gogoi had said: "The illegal coal trade originating in bordering areas of neighbouring states transit through Assam and it is fast becoming a major source of funding for several militant outfits."