Dhanbad DC Sets Up 2-Member Panel To Probe Collapse Of Illegal Mine That Killed 3 People

Dhanbad Coal Mine Collapse: Deputy Commissioner forms a two-member committee to investigate the collapse of illegal mine in Jharkhand's Dhanbad that killed three people.

An illegally operated mine collapsed in Jharkhand's Bhowra colliery area, near Dhanbad on Friday, June 9, 2023, killing three people.

Dhanbad district administration in Jharkhand on Saturday set up a two-member committee to probe the incident where an illegally-operated coal mine collapsed here on Friday killing three people, reported PTI citing an official. The agency said that the two members of the probe panel are Abhishek Kumar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sindri and Parmesh Kushwaha Circle Officer (CO) Jharia. 

"A two-member committee has been set up to probe the incident that occurred at the Bhowra colliery area of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL). The committee will submit its report within 24 hours," Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sandip Singh told PTI. 

Singh said: "I have also sought a report from BCCL about the incident and would take action against the outsourcing company if lapses are found on its part". 

Three persons died here after a portion of the roof of a mine in the Bhowra colliery area of BCCL caved in on Friday. According to PTI, the incident happened at around 10.30 am in the Bhowra colliery area, about 21 km from Dhanbad town. 

The deceased were identified as Jitendra (16), Satyendra (22) and Madan (25), officials said, as quoted by PTI. 

Admitting that despite the ban on entry into the mining area, some people were doing illegal mining there, Bhowra Colliery Area General Manager SS Das said that action would be taken on the basis of the investigation report. 

As per the PTI report, Das said he would be in a position to comment only after the report of the inquiry ordered into the incident comes. When asked if a police case was lodged, Das said that any step would be undertaken only after the completion of the probe, stated the PTI report. 

Earlier on Friday night, he said that the rescue operation was suspended as no one was found trapped inside after the removal of the debris. 

Meanwhile, Jharia MLA Purnima Neeraj Singh alleged that illegal mining was being done in the area for a long. 

"I have been telling BCCL constantly about it for the last three years that any day an accident can happen. Along with illegal mining, mining norms are being violated in the area. No action has been taken till date," she said.