Guwahati, Jan. 28 -- The Gauhati High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the Umrangso coal mine incident in Dima Hasao, Assam, which resulted in the deaths of several workers who became trapped in a flooded rat-hole coal mine on January 6.

A division bench, led by the Chief Justice, has directed the state government to submit a detailed affidavit by February 7.

The incident has raised questions about the government's role in allowing illegal mining activities to continue, despite a previous Supreme Court order to halt all mining operations.

The High Court's move has brought attention to the dangers of illegal mining in the region.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that there was a registration of an FIR and...