SHILLONG: Two miners from Meghalaya are suspected to died due to gas poisoning in a coal mine located in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
The miners were discovered unconscious in a mine at Dharna Basti area of Ledo Pahar on the evening of July 1, as reported by local authorities.
Swiftly transported to Margherita First Referral Unit (FRU) for urgent medical intervention, despite efforts by medical personnel, both miners were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Their bodies have since been handed over to the Margherita police station in Assam, where investigations into the incident are currently underway.
Local residents have alleged that the deceased were engaged in illegal rat-hole mining operations managed by a local businessman.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a previous mining tragedy on May 25, when a landslide at a mining site in the Patkai Hills of eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district claimed three lives, including two individuals from Ri-Bhoi district.
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The deceased were identified as John Nongrum and Phiniellin Umbah, from Jatah and Korhadem villages, respectively.
The Ledo-Margherita region, situated approximately 571 km from Guwahati, is rich in coal reserves located in the foothills of Patkai.
However, illegal mining activities in the area have not only posed risks to the lives of workers but have also profoundly impacted indigenous communities residing in the region.
The original inhabitants of the Patkai hill region, including Singpho, Sema Nagas, Tangsa, Tai-Phake, Syam, Aitom, Nocte, and others, have been adversely affected by mining and deforestation activities.
Many have been compelled to migrate to Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district due to the adverse effects of these activities.
Concerns over illegal coal mining in the region have been raised by various groups in the past.
In July 2023, the All Adivasi Student Association of Assam (AASAA) had expressed concerns about mass migration from the Margherita region of Tinsukia district, citing fears of landslides and erosion triggered by illegal coal mining.
This is a developing story as investigations into the death are ongoing.
