A labourer was found dead at the bottom of a mine shaft in Musiang village, near Moolamonah, East Jaintia Hills District last week, according to a belated report.
Social activist Agnes Kharshiing told the Highland Post that she had received this information from reliable sources even though it came late. The person has been identified as 35-year-old J Pale, a local from the area. He was buried at the local Presbyterian Cemetery.
She said that when the man did not return they went looking for him as he did tell his family he was going to the mine. Kharshiing said that she had been told that it looked like he could have fallen down the deep box-cutting shaft when the rickety ladder-bridge broke.
Meanwhile, district police said there is no confirmed report received on the death of the labourer.
It is to be noted that it is mandatory that any unnatural deaths are required to be compulsorily reported to the authorities and that it is the responsibility of the village headmen to do this duty. They are duty bound by law and can be prosecuted if they fail to do so.
Moreover, in the case of rat-hole mining in the state, there are standing court orders that any deaths in mining incidents are to be immediately investigated by the police as there are continuous allegations that rat-hole mining is continuing in the rural areas of the state.
According to reports from that particular area rat-hole mining is going on in full swing with no fear of the authorities.
In those villages, the mine shafts are near their homes and some just in the backyard of the houses where people live, posing great danger especially for children.
