Urgent Rescue Delayed: Assam CM Calls Dima Hasao Coal Mine ‘Legal But Abandoned’—Community Awaits Hopeful Reclamation
Efforts to rescue eight miners trapped since January 6 in a coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district continued as dewatering operations entered their second day on Friday. The mine, abandoned for 12 years, was once under the Assam Mineral Development Corporation but was not illegal, as clarified by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He confirmed that the workers had entered the mine for the first time since its abandonment to extract coal.
Rescue operations depend on clearing the accumulated water in the 340-feet deep mine. Additional equipment from Nagpur was set to expedite the dewatering process, which lags due to challenges with existing machines. “If the new machine works, we could clear the water by evening,” Sarma noted. Meanwhile, a body of a laborer from Nepal was recovered earlier this week, heightening concerns about the remaining trapped miners’ fate.
Divers from the Navy and Army await the completion of dewatering to resume their search. As efforts continue, the grim situation has sparked a wave of speculation and concern. Sarma urged against politicizing the human tragedy, particularly amidst claims involving a family member of the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council’s Chief Executive Member, Debolal Gorlosa.
In parallel, significant arrests were made following the incident, with authorities detaining Hanan Laskar, the miners’ leader, who fled post-flooding. Punish Nunisa, the mine’s leaseholder, was previously arrested. Following the unexpected flooding of the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry at Umrangso, approximately 250 km from Guwahati, a case has been registered, initially suspecting illegal mining activities.
Rescue teams, comprising the Navy, Army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF, and local administrations, are working tirelessly with support from ONGC and Coal India. The coordinated effort continues under mounting pressure as time becomes a critical factor in the mission.
Original Source: https://news.abplive.com/cities/assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-says-dima-hasao-coal-mine-legal-abandoned-dewatering-rescue-ops-trapped-8-workers-1743239
Category : Cities
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-01-10 23:27:00
