Dima Hasao villagers fight Diyung River mining plan

Guwahati: Villagers and Gaon Buras from nine communities in Assam’s Dima Hasao district want a proposed stone mining project scrapped. On October 5, 2026, representatives from Disru-Raji, Berelangdisa, Hojai, Jorai, Samparidisa, Nobdi Daulagupu, Gurbari, Disagutu, and Boro Longren delivered a formal objection to the Divisional Forest Officer. They demand the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council withdraw plans to extract stone from the Diyung Riverbed between the Diyung RCC bridge and Lodingbra.

Locals feel shocked. They allege the project skipped mandatory public hearings, Gram Sabha consent, and Social Impact Assessments. The memorandum claims the project was sliced into artificial blocks to dodge environmental scrutiny. Residents point to previous mining work on the Harangajao, Mahur, and Jatinga rivers as a warning. These projects caused bank erosion, destroyed biodiversity, and dropped groundwater levels. "Both rivers are now ruined and ecologically degraded, serving as painful evidence of the dangers of unregulated riverbed mining," the document notes.

The Diyung River remains vital for drinking water, irrigation, and fishing for thousands of tribal residents. The community demands the immediate halt of all surveys and proposals. They want full disclosure of all maps and documents related to the plan. Unless the council backs down, villagers will start protests, file formal complaints with statutory bodies, and take the matter to court.