Illegal mining allegations and environmental concerns in असम

In late August 2026, residents in various parts of Assam reported unauthorized mining and extraction activities. In the Nagaon-Hojai border area, locals raised concerns regarding stone quarrying and transportation in the Madatali and Beleuguri areas allegedly conducted without statutory permissions or environmental clearances. Additionally, in the Nalbari district, allegations surfaced regarding large-scale river soil and sand extraction along the Pagladia, Brahmaputra, and Nona rivers, with residents claiming activities continued despite expired permits.

By mid-September, the focus shifted to Upper Assam, where residents in the Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts organized a convention to demand government probes and compensation following devastating floods in July. Survivors of the Dikhow River surge, which caused significant loss of life and property, alleged that the disaster was exacerbated by unregulated hill-cutting, illegal coal mining, and sand and stone extraction. The community is calling for scientific studies into these environmental activities and improved disaster-response mechanisms.