Mine mishap: CM Conrad Sangma visits site, Rescue Efforts Under way

Guwahati, December 17, 2018:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday visited the site of the coal mine in East Jaintia Hills where thirteen labourers are feared trapped.

Taking stock of the situation, Sangma admitted that it is “very difficult” to arrest the people responsible for this kind of illegal activity as the “area is very vast”.

He, however, promised to take “strict action” against mines whose locations are revealed to authorities. The CM further stated: “The National Disaster Response Force is trying very hard to save the 13 miners but it looks very difficult.” The authorities have admitted that it is impossible to continue the rescue operations until the flooding in the mine recedes to less than 30 metre.

It may be noted that despite continued efforts from the NDRF, no headway has been made in locating the missing miners and the force of the water has prevented rescuers from entering the mine.

Congress MLA, Azad Zaman, meanwhile, travelled to the mine, located at Ksan near Lytien river, and implored the East Jaintia administration to procure more pumps.

Zaman stated: “After taking stock of the situation, the NDRF advised that at least 10 more pumps should be used to drain the water from the mine or it will not be possible for its personnel to go inside.” Five of the trapped miners belong to Zaman’s Rajabala constituency in West Garo Hills.