SHILLONG, DEC 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said action will be taken against illegal mining of coal in the state following the tragic incident wherein 13 labourers were trapped and feared dead after a coal mine was flooded in East Jaintia Hills District.
“We are aware of the illegal activities were going on and this again which is something that is not correct at all and appropriate action will be taken at appropriate time against the people who are involved in the illegal mining as this is not acceptable,” Sangma said on Friday.
The incident took place at Ksan village under Saipung police station on Thursday morning when 13 persons including 3 locals were engaged for extracting coal from a mine locating near the Lyteiñ River.
The statement of the chief minister also came a time when the state government had categorically denied that there is illegal mining of coal in the state.
Sangma, while terming the incident as unfortunate, however said what is more important right now is to save the lives of labourers who are trapped in the coal mine.
“Efforts are on (to rescue them) and I am in touch with the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police on a continuous basis and I hope and pray we will be able to rescue them,” he added.
The chief minister further informed that the team of Disaster Response Force as well as the district administration and police are doing all they can to save the lives of these labourers.
The persons trapped inside the mine have been identified as Omor Ali, Mezamur Islam, Mominul Islam, Amir Hussain, Munirul Islam, Saiar Islam, Shirapat Ali, Mozid Sk, Raziul Islam, Samsul Haque, S/o Md. Nabaruddin, Chal Dkhar, Iong Dkhar and Nilam Dkhar.
While three of them are from Lumthari village in the district, the others are from West Garo Hills and Assam.
Earlier yesterday, SP S Nongtynnger informed that it appeared to be an old coal mine and recently about three-four days work was resumed.
He said that the cause of the incident was due to the over flowing of water, the dead bodies are still trapped inside and there is no sign of dead bodies that could be seen.
“The water is being pumped up with the help of a generator and is in progress,” he said.
It may be mentioned here that the opposition Congress had accused the government of facilitating illegal coal mining in the state and demand for investigation into the nexus between political bosses and coal mafias. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a blanket ban on unscientific coal mining in the state of Meghalaya for the past four years.
By Our Reporter
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