1 from Silchar, 4 from Karimganj; 6 labourers dead due to mechanical failure at a mining site in Meghalaya

In an unfortunate turn of affairs, six labourers have lost their lives in a mining site in Meghalaya. Vivekanand Singh, SP, East Jaintia Hills, Khliehriat confirmed that six people have lost their lives. He informed, one of them is yet to be identified while one of the remaining five is a resident of Cachar district and the rest are from Karimganj.

Singh said that the police received a report about the incident yesterday and the team immediately visited the spot. “A criminal case has been registered against the manager employed there. We have made a report based on the information we could gather from the spot and sent it to the state headquarters,” said Singh.

The SP added that the incident took place in Dienshalalu, Sarkari and Rymbai Villages in Khliehriat. The police did not confirm if it was a coal mining site running illegally.

According to Police sources, the accident took place due to a mechanical failure of the lift (box) the labourers use to go up and down the pit. “The box slipped and fell into the pit due to which the labourers lost their lives,” informed a police source.

The village is located in a remote area. One needs to walk at least two kilometres on foot and cross one river to reach the spot. “This area is not regularly patrolled by the Police officials and therefore, the department has very little idea about the mining going on there,” said the source in the Police department.

Mokbul Hussain, Ali Hussain, Dilwar Hussain, all three are sons of Makmodur Rahman and have lost their lives. They are residents of Jalalabad village in Ratabari. Apart from them, Jilal Uddin, son of Majaid Ali also a resident of the same locality has lost his life. The name of the labourer from Silchar is yet to be known.

Meanwhile, the manager against whom a criminal case has been registered has been identified as Salim. Police sources said that Salim is also a resident of Karimganj district and works as a mediator between the employees and the employers. The legality of the mining spot is under dispute.