Mon, August 13: Nagaland News Network visited the Dikhu River area between Longleng and Mon districts amid the ongoing controversy over Assam’s floods and allegations linking flooding to coal mining and deforestation in Nagaland.
The Dikhu River was seen flowing fiercely, with water levels reportedly rising close to the bridge. NNN also visited the Namsang-Naginimora area and nearby mining sites, where no visible signs of major landslides or disasters were observed during the ground visit.
Speaking to NNN, Konyak Union Naginimora representatives denied allegations that coal mining in the area triggered the Assam floods. Secretary Chinge Konyak said heavy rainfall of around 12–15 hours on July 19 affected large parts of eastern Nagaland, causing water to flow downstream towards Assam. He said the geographical terrain of Assam, surrounded by hilly regions, naturally channels water towards the plains, particularly during the monsoon.
The Union also clarified that there is no dam on the Dikhu River in Nagaland and maintained that mining in the area is carried out with government licences and approvals. It rejected allegations of “illegal coal mining” and termed claims blaming the Naginimora area for the Assam floods as baseless and potentially harmful to peaceful relations between Assam and Nagaland.
Joint Secretary Anyei Konyak said coal mining has been carried out in the area for nearly 30 years and that no such allegations had been raised previously. He stressed that there is, so far, no scientific evidence establishing that coal mining in Naginimora caused the Assam floods. He further stated that mining activities are stopped during the rainy season and are generally carried out from September to March.
NNN also visited the upstream Dikhu River area, where the Merangkong–Tuli–Mon highway was found severely damaged, with a bridge cut off and portions of the road having sunk. Local resident Anyei said the river had risen by an estimated 60–70 feet and was already flowing fiercely before reaching the mining areas, which he said are located around 10–15 kilometres away.
The Konyak Union has appealed for the situation to be viewed based on ground realities and scientific assessment, rather than allegations, while calling for cooperation between communities during the ongoing floods, landslides and other natural disasters.
