Guwahati, June 4 -- The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has issued a stern directive to the Assam Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary, instructing them to ensure strict compliance with the 2019 ban on illegal mining and related activities near the ecologically sensitive Kaziranga National Park (KNP).

This order comes nearly five months after an anonymous government official flagged rampant and intensified illegal mining in the vicinity of the national park, directly flouting the Apex Court's previous directives.

The CEC's directive, stemming from a letter, specifically addresses concerns about ongoing mining in the "Parkup Pahar Range," a declared Wildlife Sanctuary forming the southern boundary of Kaz...