New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) The Congress on Wednesday expressed concern over rampant "illegal coal mining" and the growing drug menace in the North-Eastern states, and accused both the central and the respective state governments of turning a blind eye to these two issues.

The party demanded a CBI probe into the illegal coal mining in the region.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC office here, party Spokesperson Gaurav Gogoi, referred to the ED raids on illegal coal miners without any follow-up action.

Gogoi said he had welcomed these raids as he had himself raised the matter both inside and outside the Parliament.

He claimed that the ED had conducted raids on April 24 in Assam and Meghalaya and seized Rs 1.58 crores in cash besides luxury vehicles and electronic gadgets. He said, surprisingly no follow-up action was taken nor were any arrests made.

Gogoi questioned whether the raid was merely a means of extortion, given the absence of any follow-up action.

He further alleged that the ED has a pattern of conducting such raids ahead of elections, often resulting in the raided parties buying electoral bonds for the BJP.

He said that there did not appear to be any intention on part of the state or the central government to take further action in the matter. He said the ED raids and seizures "vindicated his charges that illegal mining was rampantly taking place in the Northeast, including Assam".

He claimed, these raids disproved the Assam Chief Minister’s assertion that no illegal coal mining was taking place in the state.

Raising the issue of drug addiction in the North Eastern states, Gogoi alleged, "Drugs were being smuggled in from Myanmar in large quantities and youth were falling prey to this scourge. While the mainstream media was focusing on and highlighting the problems prevailing in the North Western parts of the country, it should also pay attention to this growing menace in the North East".

Gogoi also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly making fun of the physical appearance of Chinese people, particularly comments about the shape of their eyes.

"The people from North East are being targeted in Delhi and other states for the same reason—their facial features. The Prime Minister while dealing with China on various issues, should show sensitivity regarding the appearance of people from that region," Gogoi said.

Moreover, he expressed his gratitude to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary Organisation KC Venugopal and General Secretary in charge of Assam Jitendra Singh for reposing faith and confidence in him by appointing him the Assam PCC president.

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