India, Feb. 7 -- The Gauhati High Court has issued summons to two senior administrative and police officers of Assam to appear in person non-compliance of its orders in connection with illegal coal mining in some of the state's protected forests.

On Thursday, a division bench of justices Kalyan Rai Surana and Malasri Nandi directed the principal secretary of the state's home and political department and the Director General of Police to personally appear on February 14, unless an affidavit as earlier directed by the court, is filed by the state government on February 13.

"The court is conscious of the fact that, ordinarily, government officials holding top positions ought not to be called before this court. However, if personal appearan...