Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma has assured appropriate action against people involved in illegal mining.
The Chief Minister had earlier denied that illegal coal mining was taking place in some parts of the state.The admission by the Chief Minister came after 13 miners were trapped inside a coal mine at Lumthari in East Jaiñtia Hills district.
Coal mining in Meghalaya has been banned by the National Green Tribunal from April 17, 2014 due to unscientific “rat-hole mining.”
The Chief Minister said that he aware that illegal activities were going on, adding that appropriate action would be taken at an appropriate time against people involved in illegal mining.
“This is not acceptable to us. I pray that we will be able to rescue the miners and I urge everyone to remember them in prayers,” Conrad said.
Terming the incident unfortunate, Conrad said, “we are concerned about the individuals and their lives and the NDRF and SDRF teams and the district administration and police are doing all they can to save the lives of these miners.”
Six miners hailed from the plain belt of West Garo Hills who were identified as Omor Ali of Magurmari under Phulbari, Mezamur Islam of Phesiakandi under Rajabala, Mominul Islam of Rajabala, Shirapat Ali of Magurmari, Mozid Sk of Magurmari, Raziul Islam of Magurmari under Phulbari.
Four of them are from Assam and have been identified as Md. Amir Hussain of Apdaguri under Sirang, Munirul Islam of Bogidar under Sirang, Saiar Islam of Khoyarsala under Sirang, and Samsul Haque of Kurihamari under Bhangnamari, Nalbari in Assam.
There local miners were, Chal Dkhar, Iong Dkhar, and Nilam Dkhar, all residents of Lumthari village in East Jaiñtia Hills district.
