Premium

Gauhati HC takes suo motu cognisance of rat-hole mining accident, issues notice to state govt

The nine miners died after they got trapped while working in a rat-hole mine in the Umrangso coal reserves.

Divers from the Special Forces who retrieved the body told The Indian Express that the first challenge was the depth of the water – approximately 100 feet – inside the 310-feet deep central pit of the mine, and the complete lack of visibility. (Express Photo)

The Gauhati High Court Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of the mining tragedy in Umrangso, Assam, in which at least nine miners died earlier this month, and issued notices to the state government seeking its response on the efforts taken to stop illegal rat-hole mining in Assam.

“The court has taken note of various reports which suggest that around more than 200 rat-hole mines are in operation in Umrangso area. The court has also taken note that in Karbi Anglong district, the rat-hole mining is rampant and is either going unnoticed or despite having knowledge of the same, the authorities are not taking any action to stop or close those rathole mines. Be that as it may, we deem it appropriate to issue notice to the respondents,” the court stated.

The respondents include the Chief Secretary and officials from the state’s Mine and Minerals Department, Environment and Forest Department, Home and Political Department, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Directorate of Geology and Mining, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.

Story continues below this ad

The High Court also expressed its concern over rat-hole mining in Karbi Anglong. The court directed the respondents to file their response and a latest report on the action taken to stop rat-hole coal mining by February 7.

The nine miners died after they got trapped while working in a rat-hole mine in the Umrangso coal reserves. They were trapped after the mine got flooded and three weeks later, only four of the bodies have been found.

Following the incident, the Assam government launched a crackdown on rat-hole mines in both Umrangso and the coal reserves in Eastern Assam’s Margherita, with the government estimating that there are around 220 such illegal rat-hole mines in Umrangso.

The Assam government has constituted a one-man inquiry commission headed by former Gauhati High Court judge Justice Anima Hazarika as well to investigate the Umrangso incident. The commission has been tasked with fixing responsibility on concerned officers, individuals, mining companies and institutions. Along with investigating the circumstances and causes leading to the incident, fixing responsibility and identifying lapses, the commission also has to suggest measures to deal with such incidents in the future.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram