Illegal Rat-Hole Coal Mining Continues in Meghalaya, 6 Miners from Assam Feared Trapped

GUWAHATI: Six miners from Assam were feared trapped inside a coal mine after it collapsed in Meghalaya''s East Jaintia Hills district.

According to reports, the miners were involved in illegal rat-hole mining.

"Information has emanated from SP Silchar that 6 persons from Assam are trapped in a coal mine in EJ Hills. The mine has been identified at Sutnga interior, under Umpleng Anti-Dacoity camp, and search operations are on," Meghalaya Police posted on Twitter. The Silchar SP had stated that the incident took place on Sunday night. "The district police were able to identify the probable location of the spot at around 0600 hrs on May 31. The delay in identification of the probable site was due to inclement weather, poor night light condition, and non-availability of any eye-witness account," the East Jaintia Hills district SP Jagpal Dhanoa said in a statement.

Based on information received from Superintendent of Police, Silchar about 6(six) mineworkers being trapped in a coal mine in East Jaintia Hills on the night of 30th May 2021 the district police were able to identify the probable location of the incident at 06:00 AM on 31st May 2021. The delay in identification of probable site was due to inclement weather, poor night light condition, and non-availability of any eye witness account.

Higher authorities were appraised about the probable incident and in collaboration with the District Administration search and rescue operation was launched. State Disaster Response Team also reached the probable location of the incident thereafter.

While the search and rescue operation was on under the supervision of Inspector General of Police (Law & Order), six (6) persons came forward with eye witness account of the events that transpired on the 30th of May 2021 at 6:00 PM.

The main culprit as per eye witnesses is a Sardar by name of Nizam Ali who did nothing to rescue the trapped labourers. Rather Nizam Ali threatened the survivors with dire consequences and chased them away from the mining site.

Based on their account FIR is registered at Khliehriat Police Station vide Khliehriat PS Case No.35(05)2021 u/s 188/269/270/304AIPC R/w section 21(5) MMOR Act R/W section 51(b) Disaster Management Act.

The survivors are being looked after by police to ensure their security. Further, the investigation is on and no stone is being left unturned to arrest the Sardar of the mine.

Till the filing of this report, one person has been detained for questioning. Unfortunately, he has tested positive for Covid-19 and is being kept under guard at Isolation Centre at Khliehriat.

Details of missing persons:-

Abdul Karim from Boko, Assam

Abdul Kalam from Barpeta, Assam.

Shyamcharan Debbarma from Tripura along with two unidentified people from Silchar, Assam.

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