Dibrugarh, Jan. 12 -- Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning rat-hole mining, the illegal practice continues unabated in the Margherita-Ledo area of eastern Assam's Tinsukia district.

The recent tragic collapse of a rat-hole mine in Dima Hasao should have served as a stark warning, but it appears no lessons have been learned.

Sources indicate that illegal mining activities are ongoing in the Lalpahar area, falling under the Lekhapani forest range in Margherita.

"While illegal mining had been halted in the reserve forest under the Lekhapani range for the past two months, it has now resumed with renewed vigor in Lekhapani RF, Tipong RF, Tirap RF, and Pharpur RF," revealed a source.

"Despite being aware of these activities, th...