Shillong, Jan 18: Illegal rat-hole coal mining claimed another life, with a labourer from Assam dying in an incident in East Jaintia Hills, police said on Sunday.
The victim collapsed while working at the mining site at Umthe village on January 14, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said.
Police have sealed the illegal mine and ordered a probe.
The deceased was identified as Mosaid Ali (48), a resident of Jamuna Moudanga in Assam’s Hojai district.
According to the SP, Ali was rushed to Sutnga Community Health Centre but was declared dead on arrival.
Justice (retd) BP Katakey, appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to monitor illegal coal mining and transportation in the state, has demanded a detailed police report into the incident.
There are periodic reports of rat-hole coal mining in the state, despite a 2014 ban, but these only come into the light when casualties occur. The state government insists that it is working to curb illegal mining despite views to the contrary from opposition parties and civic groups.
Late last year there was a supposed blast in a coal mine, again in East Jaintia Hills, that claimed the life of at least one person, with several others injured. The incident reportedly occurred on December 23 at Thangsko village. A graphic video emerged showing several men with serious injuries. But preliminary inquiries cast doubt on the location of the blast being Thangsko after the headman and residents claimed not to recognise the individuals in the video or the location. Police also denied that there was any blast and claimed the video was shot elsewhere. However, one victim, Ashok Tamang, made a “dying declaration” that was recorded on video. He later died at Shillong Civil Hospital on New Year’s Eve. (with PTI inputs)
