SHILLONG, March 28— Unscientific mining claimed the lives of atleast seven coal mine labourers in the Nangalbibra coalfields in South Garo Hills on Tuesday, according to delayed reports received here.
The miners accidentally dug into an abandoned mining hole at Dothichiring area following which water gushed out engulfing them. This also led to the collapse of the cave entrance, sources said adding that the toll is likely to go up as all the bodies are yet to be extricated.
Death of miners in cave-ins is common in the coal fields of South Garo Hills, where 40 workers were killed under similar circumstances last year. Six more miners lost their lives following this incident the same year.
Meanwhile, Mining and Geology Minister, Smt Deborah Marak, expressing concern over Tuesday’s incident, however, informed the Assembly today that the government had no official report on the death of mine workers due to caving in of coalmines.
Replying to unstarred questions in the Assembly, the minister also ruled out payment of ex-gratia to the family members of the deceased labourers as the government has no official report in this regard.
The government also does not have information on the number of child workers engaged in the coalmines of Meghalaya as the mines are outside its control, she further informed. It may be mentioned here that due to the peculiar land tenure system in Meghalaya, coal and other minerals are privately mined using unscientific and hazardous methods, leading to frequent deaths of workers which go largely unreported.