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Bihubar in Crisis: Illegal Stone Quarrying Sparks Public Outrage

By SK Hasan |

A major controversy is brewing along the Assam–Nagaland border near Bihubar, where rampant illegal stone quarrying has triggered fears for public safety, environmental damage, and the health of nearby residents.

Despite repeated concerns voiced by locals, the forest department and police administration appear to have taken no concrete action, allowing the illegal operations to continue unchecked. Residents allege that the activities—allegedly led by individuals including Riaz Ali alias Nanki, Gazi Khan, and Zakir Ali—are putting the Dikhau river at risk of altering its course, potentially endangering entire settlements.

The so-called “stone mafia” is reportedly using heavy machinery and dumpers openly in the area, with no visible intervention from the authorities. Locals claim this inaction has emboldened the operators, raising serious questions about law enforcement and governance in the sensitive border region.

Residents are now demanding urgent steps to halt the quarrying, protect the river, and ensure the safety of lives and property. The growing discontent has sparked calls for stronger enforcement and accountability from both the forest department and the police.

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Freelance journalist, Nazira, Sibasagar district.
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