6 guest workers fall into pit, die

In what has raised serious questions over the unchecked illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, at least six migrant workers from Assam died after they fell into a 150-feet pit in the forest of Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills on Friday.

The tragic incident took place in the same district where 15 men had disappeared inside an illegal rat-hole mine after it collapsed in December 2018.

Locals alleged the migrant workers whose bodies were found inside the pit this morning were digging an illegal coal mine.

However, state government sources claimed that they have found no evidence of an active coal mine.

Deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, E. Kharmalki, told reporters,“No coal stock has been found at the accident site, so we cannot ascertain that they were trying to open up an abandoned coal mine, but there was some earth-cutting work happening there.”

Police however said that bodies of the six people have been recovered from the abandoned mine. “The Police have registered a case in this regard," Meghalaya DGP R. Chandranathan told reporters.

Among those killed four have been identified as Moqbul Hussain (45), Ali Hussain (40), Dilwar Hussain (35) and Jalal Uddin (28).

Such accidents in coal mines are not new to Meghalaya. One of the biggest tragedies in the state in recent times occurred on December 13, 2018 when 15 miners were trapped inside an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills.

The miners were trapped as rainwater from adjoining areas gushed into the open mines. Despite several days of rescue operations, they could not be saved.

The recuse team included personnel from the Indian Navy and the Indian Army, besides NDRF and local police.