Four Days On, Plight of 13 Trapped Miners in Meghalaya Still Unknown

Shillong: Four day on, the fate of four miners trapped inside a coal mine in Meghalaya remains unknown even as the rescue operations are underway.

The miners were trapped inside an illegal rat hole mine on Thursday in Ksan village of Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. The rescue teams have so far been able to recover only three helmets.

The mine is 370 feet deep and the flood level is estimated to be 70 feet. A pumping unit has been pressed into action to reduce the water level. Two teams of NDRF, comprising 60 personnel and 12 rescue workers of the SDRF are trying to evacuate the trapped miners.

Despite a four-year-old ban on mining by the National Green Tribunal, mining activity was underway at this site in Meghalaya.

Police have arrested one of the main accused Jrin Chullet alias Krip Chullet, who is also one of the owner. However, another owner of the rat hole mine James Shukhlain is still absconding.

Meanwhile, MLA of Rajabala constituency visited the area to take stalk of the situation.