Anxiety Climbs as Water Levels Rise in Assam Coal Mine, Trapping Nine

08 Jan 2025 CW Team

Efforts to rescue nine workers trapped in a coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district intensified as water levels inside the flooded quarry reached nearly 100 feet. Despite ongoing rescue operations involving multiple agencies, no workers have been brought out yet.

Rescue teams, including Navy divers from Visakhapatnam, along with personnel from the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and disaster response forces (NDRF and SDRF), are working tirelessly to reach the miners. Specialised equipment, including water pumping machines, has been deployed to drain the mine.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sought assistance from Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who directed Coal India Limited to support the rescue efforts. Expressing gratitude to the Army and other agencies, Sarma affirmed that “all possible efforts” are being made to ensure the safe return of the trapped miners.

The miners were trapped when sudden flooding engulfed the site in Umrangso’s Three Kilo area. While initial reports suggested around 15 workers were inside, authorities have confirmed the identities of nine individuals: Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khushi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary.

Meanwhile, a person linked to the incident has been arrested. CM Sarma revealed that the mine appears to be illegal, and a case has been registered under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. “One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case,” he wrote on X.

As the rescue operation continues, the situation remains critical, with growing anxiety over the miners’ safety.

(Hinudstan Times)

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