Meghalaya: Illegal coal mine owner arrested, police assured to go all out to check illegality

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 19, 2022

A miner died while another was injured after they were trapped inside an illegal coal mine in West Khasi Hills district even as the owner of the mine has been arrested.

The incident took place at Goreng (Urak) under Shallang police station on Friday morning.

Confirming this, District police chief Herbert G Lyngdoh said two labourers were pulled out of the coal mine and unfortunately one of them died while another was injured.

The deceased has been identified as Lependro Sangma (32) while the injured miner as Hendid Momin (33). Both are from Uguri (Goraimari) under Kharkutta police station in North Garo Hills District.

He informed that a team led by DSP (Hqr) West Khasi Hills B. Kharjana together with officers and personnel from Shallang Police Station proceeded to the spot and conducted a thorough enquiry.

It was found that, today morning, the two persons had gone to the coal mine at (Urak, Riangdim) on being instructed by the mine owner.

However, unfortunately when both of them entered, the said mine had collapsed where (L) Lependro Sangma has lost his life while Hendit Momin had sustained serious injuries.

The dead body was taken to Shallang PHC for Post Mortem examination and the injured person was sent to Shallang PHC for medical treatment.

Also Read | Coal mine tragedy: 1 dead, another injured in West Khasi Hills

A regular case has been registered on the basis of the FIR lodged by OC of Shallang PS BP Talang.

The SP further informed that during the course of the investigation the identity of the coal quarry owner has been identified as Hubath R Sangma of Songsak Gurakalam village, Shallang and he has been arrested and after intense interrogation will be forwarded to judicial custody. 

Also, from the place of occurrence, approximately 7-8 tons of coal, 2 thelas used for ferrying coal from inside the coal quarry to the depot, 2 showels, and 2 pick axe were seized, he said

It is to be noted this coal quarry was located right inside the deep jungle of Urak (Riangdim) and is only accessible by a 2 hour journey on foot.

The distance from Shallang PS to Urak is around 25 kms @2 hours by foot with an additional one hour road journey. 

However, West Khasi Hills police are constantly doing periodic raids on any form of illegal transportation and extraction of coal and will go all out to check this illegality, the SP said.