Illegal rat-hole mining has been flourishing in many areas, including the abandoned coal mines of Umrangso in the Dima Hasao district (previously NC Hills) of Assam, since around 2016. A fateful incident on January 6, 2025, highlighted the dangers of these activities when more than nine miners reportedly got trapped in a flooded rat-hole mine in the 3-kilo area in Assam Coal Quarry near Kalapani in Umrangso. Only three dead bodies have been recovered in the process so far.

While specific numbers are unavailable, it's more evident that numerous families in the region are impacted, either directly through involvement in mining activities or indirectly through environmental degradation and associated economic challenges of land and alternative livelihoods. The Assam government subsequently acknowledged the issue and announced measures to curb illegal mining, including drone surveillance and joint patrolling with district civil administration and police.

Despite these efforts, illegal mining persists, continuing to affect many Indigenous families in Dima Hasao. The lack of precise data makes it difficult to quantify the full extent of the impact on the local population.

Following the tragic incident where miners were trapped and killed in a 300 ft. flooded rat-hole mine, authorities intensified their efforts to identify and shut down the illegal mining activities. The Assam government, utilizing satellite imagery, identified 220 illegal mines in the area. These mines are slated for closure in collaboration with central agencies. The discovery of a substantial number of legal or illegal mines spotlights a significant environmental impact. The collective consequences of the mining activities and abandoned mines include considerable land degradation, deforestation, and pollution, increasing damage to both the local ecosystem and surrounding Indigenous communities.

As informed by regional party representatives and leaders, the Assam government is accused of involvement in a ₹2,000 crore illegal coal mining scam in the state, including the Dima Hasao district. They claimed that the Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC) illegally supplies coal without a license and called for stringent action against complicit cement industries. The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) also devised plans to petition the Supreme Court of India for intervention emphasizing the need for government action and accountability to address the ongoing illegal mining crisis on the hill district's land. Regional protection committees also demanded an immediate halt to coal mining operations in the lands of the biodiversity-rich hill district.

Illegal coal mining in Umrangso has led to significant human rights violations, primarily due to hazardous working conditions and coal syndicates. Miners, often from outside the state or marginalized communities, are targeted to work in lucrative but inhumane conditions without proper safety equipment or training, making them highly vulnerable to accidents and health issues. Traditional rescue efforts have not effectively assisted in addressing and alleviating urgent accidents.

The environmental impact of illegal mining further exacerbates human rights violations. Unregulated extraction processes cause significant deforestation, habitat destruction, and water contamination. Waste from the mines, including coal slurry and acidic water, is often dumped into nearby rivers and streams, like the Kopili River, making the water unfit for consumption and harming aquatic life. This contamination affects local communities' access to clean water and damages agricultural lands, impacting their livelihoods.

Powerful local entities or figures in mining lead to exploitation and environmental harm, often resulting in a lack of accountability, loss of livelihoods, poverty, etc. Illegal mining persists due to governance failures, highlighting the need for stricter law enforcement to protect communities.
In response to the January 2025 incident, authorities have initiated investigations and made arrests connected to the illegal mine's operation. However, taking action only after such accidents occur does not equate to the government fulfilling its responsibilities.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma stated, “Dima Hasao is an autonomous council, and the Assam government has limitations in its administration. We do not yet know under what circumstances mining permission was granted; we’ve asked police to investigate.”

On the contrary, the Gauhati High Court accepted letters from Congress Leaders including the leader of the opposition and MLA Debabrata Saikia and MP Pradyut Bordoloi urging the Assam Government to address issues in the Rat Hole Mining Case. The Congress Party demanded an inquiry and enforcement of court orders, following laborer deaths. They plan to pursue this in the upcoming Budget Sessions for Assam's interests.