Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said his govt was not empowered to stop mining activities in Nagaland amid concerns over their alleged role in triggering devastating floods in upper Assam, stressing that only a scientific study could determine whether it contributed to the disaster.“Nagaland has its own govt. What policy the Nagaland govt adopts is something we will have to discuss with the central govt. If I say I will stop it, I must remember that I am only the CM of Assam. But there is no illegal mining taking place within Assam,” he said.Responding to concerns over stone mining raised by residents during his visit to Sivasagar, Sarma said a large section of the local population depended on mining-related activities for their livelihood. “Almost all the people there are now dependent on mining for their livelihood. So I have told the local people that they themselves should take a decision. One young woman raised the issue, but the others said, ‘How will we earn our livelihood?’” Sarma said.“What we can do is shut down the stone crushers operating on the Assam side. If that helps in any way, we will definitely do it,” the CM added.On coal mining in Nagaland, Sarma said the issue would have to be discussed with the Centre.While Sarma refrained from drawing conclusions on allegations linking mining in Nagaland to the floods, he called for an investigation based on satellite data and expert analysis. “This is not something politicians can answer. It did not happen every year, so why did it happen this year? Satellite data and scientific analysis are needed to determine the reasons,” Sarma said.He suggested that institutions such as IIT Guwahati or other expert agencies conduct a detailed study into the causes of the floods.“If politicians like us could answer such questions so easily, then there would be no need for experts. Geology is not my subject, nor is geography. How can I give a definitive answer? I am a student of political science. Conducting a scientific study is the most important task. But what conclusions such a study will reach is something neither you nor I can predict. Therefore, after the floods, we have repeatedly urged the central govt,” he said.Sarma added that Nagaland had also been affected by floods and needed to undertake a similar study.
