Shillong: A labourer from Assam died while working at an illegal coal mining site in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, prompting police to seal the mine and order an investigation, officials said on Sunday.
The incident occurred on January 14 at an illegal mining site in Umthe village, where the labourer collapsed during work, East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said.
The deceased has been identified as Mosaid Ali (48), a resident of Jamuna Moudanga in Assam’s Hojai district.
Police said he was rushed to the Sutnga community health centre, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Following the incident, police sealed the illegal mine and initiated a probe into the circumstances leading to the death.
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Justice (Retd) B.P. Katakey, appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to monitor illegal coal mining and transportation in the state, has sought a detailed report from the police on the matter.
The incident has once again highlighted the persistence of illegal coal mining in the state despite the National Green Tribunal’s ban on rat-hole mining.
Social worker Agnes Kharshiing said recurring accidents point to the continued prevalence of illegal mining and coal transportation in Meghalaya.
