Digboi, July 19 -- The Tinsukia District Committee of the International Human Rights Council (IHRC) has alleged illegal coal extraction and transportation in Assam's Margherita coal belt in the first phase of its investigation report.

In a press statement issued on Friday, the organisation alleged that coal is being illegally extracted from abandoned Coal India mines in the Ledo-Itakhola area using heavy excavators and prohibited rat-hole mining methods.

It claimed the coal is transported daily in dumpers, pickup vehicles and other commercial vehicles.

According to the committee, the alleged transportation network covers several coal-bearing areas, including Deep Mine, Molung Pahar, Kalasuri, Lalsuri, Tamol Bagan and Conference Field....