While operations to trace 15 miners trapped inside a coal mine at Khloo Ryngksan in East Jaiñtia Hills district of Meghalaya are yet to show results, another mine tragedy was reported at Jalyiah village in the same district which left two coal labourers dead.
Police said bodies of two coal labourers were recovered from an illegal coal quarry during a search conducted at a side cutting quarry at Mooknor of Jalyiah village.
The deceased were identified as 26-year-old Elad Bareh from Khliehriat and Monoj Basumatry of Deinchynrum.
“Elad’s body was found infront of the coal quarry while the body of Monoj was found inside the cutting. It is suspected that boulders hit them while they were trying to extract coal from the side cutting,” East Jaiñtia Hills Superintendent of Police S. Nongtnger said.
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Search operation was conducted at the site after an FIR was filed by one Phillip Bareh, who informed that his nephew Elad Bareh was missing since January 4.
An inquest was conducted and the bodies were taken to Khliehriat CHC for autopsy.
Police are investigating the case including identification of an owner of the coal quarry.
Meanwhile, East Jaiñtia Hills police have arrested eight persons for being allegedly involved in extraction of fresh coal in the district.
Owners of the coal mines have been identified as Willingness Latam of Moopala village and Brojoy Dkhar of Sutnga.
The arrested persons include a crane operator. They were arrested during random raids conducted by police at Saniklo Umlawang village road and Jaiñtia Cement Bazar – Lelad Junction.
Police said the arrested persons were identified as Abdul Hussain (crane operator), Binod Basumatary, Bikram Sonal, Arjun Rai, Prakash Basumatary, Jogan Boro, Danswr Narzary and Ram Kumar Rai.
The coal mine tragedy and the arrest of miners came when various agencies are putting all out efforts to trace the 15 miners who have been trapped inside the coal mine at Khloo Ryngksan since December 13 last year.
Operations are on, including pumping of water from the main shaft of the coal mine where the 15 miners are remaining trapped.
Water was also pumped out from other coal mines near the main shaft in an attempt to lower down the level of water, which is flooding the coal mine.