Operations to try to trace and rescue the five coal miners who are feared trapped in a flooded coal mine at Umpleng in East Jaintia Hills are going on despite inclement weather.
Today evening, members of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) tried to enter the 500 feet deep coal mine with the help of cranes.
However, they could not make much headway as the mine was inundated due to heavy rains. The muddy condition of the mine has added to the problem.
At least five labourers, four from Assam and one from Tripura, are feared trapped in the coal mine located under Sutnga Elaka since May 30.
Based on eyewitness accounts, police said due to the sudden explosion of dynamite, water gushed in and inundated the mine and as the result, the five persons got trapped inside.
Three of the trapped coal mine labourers have been identified. They are Abdul Karim from Boko, Assam, Abdul Kalam from Barpeta, Assam and Shyamcharan Debbarma from Tripura. Two others who are yet to be identified are from Silchar, Assam.
Since the mine was flooded, the chances of the trapped workers’ survival are extremely remote although rescue teams are keeping their finger crossed.
Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry into the incident is being conducted by Additional District Magistrate, East Jaintia Hills, M S Sangma.
Sangma has requested anybody having any knowledge about the incident to come forward and provide details before him at his office at Khliehriat between 11 am to 3 pm on or before June 8.
He also said that the identity of the person deposing before the inquiry will be kept secret on request.
