Yet another coal mine tragedy in Meghalaya; 13 feared dead
First Published: 14th December, 2018 17:38 IST
As many as 13 coal labourers, most of them minors, are feared dead in an illegal rat-hole mine at Lomtharee village under Saipung police station in East Jaintia Hills. Its
As many as 13 coal labourers, most of them minors, are feared dead in an illegal rat-hole mine at Lomtharee village under Saipung police station in East Jaintia Hills.
Its been over 24 hours, since the labourers were trapped in the rat-hole mine. Rescue efforts by NDRF and state police personnel failed to yield results today.
The incident, however, opened a pandora’s box as far as rampant illegal mining is concerned despite the 2014 National Green Tribunal ban.
According to sources, the mine is believed to be an old one on which the labourers were engaged in the mining activity three days back.
The incident took place on Thursday morning, after they accidentally cut through an adjoining abandoned mine filled with water and due to overflow of water all 13 are feared dead.
East Jaintia Hills SP Sylvester Nongtynger said that the State Disaster Management Force and the NDRF team arrived at the incident spot at 8 this morning and rescue operations are underway.
The incident yet again exposes rampant illegal mining being carried out in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district despite a blanket ban put on rat hole mining by the National Green Tribunal back in 2014.
Meanwhile, following the incident, a case has been filed against unknown people for indulging in illegal mining.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Brother of BSF Jawan Deepak Chingakham Who Died in Cross-Border Firing by Pakistan in Jammu Appointed ASI in Manipur Police on Compassionate Grounds
11th July 2025
Live Maikhuli Villagers Protest MoU Over Assam-Meghalaya Border, Demand Return of Fishery
11th July 2025
Live Chhangur Baba Received Rs 500 Crore in Foreign Funds for Illegal Conversions: Anti-Terror Squad
11th July 2025
Live Taiwan Detects 9 Chinese Warships, 1 Aircraft Breaching ADIZ Amid Rising Tensions
11th July 2025
WE RECOMMEND
Maikhuli Villagers Protest MoU Over Assam-Meghalaya Border, Demand Return of Fishery
At the heart of the protest lies the contentious inclusion of the village's long-maintained fishery within Assam’s territory under the MoU.
11th July 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla Speaks to Students from Assam and Meghalaya from Space, Tells Them He Will Guide Them To Become Astronauts, Walk on the Moon
The Indian astronaut connected with the students using amateur (Ham) radio, making it a rare and inspiring moment.
11th July 2025
Shillong Cantonment to Finally Get Building Bye-Laws After 53 Years; Draft Sent to Defence Ministry for Approval
As per the approved draft, residential buildings along motorable roads can go up to Ground plus 3 (G+3) floors.
11th July 2025
Centre Sanctions Rs 1,066 Cr For Flood And Landslide Hit Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram
These states have experienced heavy rainfall, massive flooding, and multiple landslides during this monsoon season.
10th July 2025
Shillong Gets Its First Mall: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates Rs 100 Cr Polo Commercial Complex
Meghalaya: Rooftop solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems further underline the eco-conscious vision of the project.
10th July 2025