Assam CM Says Dima Hasao Coal Mine 'Legal But Abandoned' As Rescue Op Awaits Further Dewatering
Assam Coal Mine: Dewatering efforts continue at an abandoned coal mine in Assam, where eight miners have remained trapped since January 6. The dewatering is crucial for resuming rescue operations.
Assam Coal Mine: Dewatering efforts continued for the second consecutive day on Friday at the coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district, where eight miners have been trapped since January 6. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the operations were aimed at facilitating the resumption of rescue efforts.
CM Sarma revealed that the mine, which had been declared abandoned 12 years ago, was not illegal as initially suspected. According to news agency PTI, he clarified, "It was not an illegal mine but an abandoned one. The workers had entered the mine that day for the first time to extract coal (after it was declared abandoned)."
The mine was legally under the Assam Mineral Development Corporation until three years ago. The chief minister stated that dewatering had been underway since Thursday, and it was only once the accumulated water was cleared that the rescue operation could continue. "Only if water is pumped out of the wells, we can expect some results," Sarma said.
To assist with the dewatering process, an additional machine was brought in from Nagpur, which will be operational from Saturday morning. Himanta Sarma explained, "If it functions properly, the accumulated water is expected to be cleared by the evening. If it does not function, then the machine that was used for the last two days will continue with the dewatering job, and it will take another 48 hours to clear it."
Assam Coal Mine News: Rescue Ops Await Further Dewatering
As the dewatering continued, the fate of the eight miners remained uncertain, with time running out. The body of one labourer from Nepal was recovered on Monday. Divers from the army and navy, who were unable to access the site for the second day in a row, are awaiting further dewatering before they can resume rescue operations in the 340-feet deep mine, PTI reported.
Regarding the number of miners trapped, Sarma confirmed that family members of nine workers had contacted authorities, and one body had been recovered so far. He also addressed speculation surrounding the incident, stating, "This is a human tragedy and we should not politicise it" in response to claims about the involvement of a family member of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council's Chief Executive Member (CEM) Debolal Gorlosa.
In an update on the investigation, a senior official told PTI that the 'sardar' of the miners, who had fled the scene following the flooding incident on January 6, was arrested on Thursday night. Hanan Laskar, the leader of the workers who entered the mine, was captured after an extensive search operation in Umrangshu. Punish Nunisa, the lease-holder of the mine, was arrested earlier in connection with the case.
The miners had been trapped at the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry in the Umrangso area, located about 250 km from Guwahati, after the site was suddenly flooded on January 6. A case has been registered concerning the incident, which initially appeared to involve an illegal mine.
Rescue operations have been ongoing, with the assistance of divers from the Navy and Army. Teams from the Navy, Army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF, and local civil administration are working tirelessly at the site, with specialised equipment provided by ONGC and Coal India.
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