Guwahati: Meghalaya police on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of three coal mine workers inside an alleged illegally operated coal mine in Rymbai in the East Jaiñtia Hills district.
According to sources, three deaths have been confirmed in two villages Musniang Rim and Musniang.
In order to verify the accuracy of the reports regarding the deaths of the three men, a suo-motu case has been filed, and notices under Sections 160 and 91 of the CrPC are being sent to all the headmen, sources said.
“The deaths of the three men were confirmed by the headmen of the two villages. We are building the evidence and proceed accordingly,” sources added.
The sources further said that the incident occurred on January 9 and the deceased were buried on January 10. Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation also revealed that one injured person was admitted to NEIGHRIMS-Shillong.
Since April 2014, coal mining is banned in Meghalaya by a National Green Tribunal order. The green Court banned rat home mining ironically to avert such mishaps in the unregulated and dangerous mines.
The Meghalaya High Court had come down very hard on the administration and directed specifically the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to not bow to any political interference while implementing its order to completely arrest.
