Assam: Efforts to locate five missing miners trapped in a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district are ongoing, with joint rescue teams comprising the Indian Army, Navy, NDRF, and other agencies working tirelessly. So far, four bodies have been retrieved from the inundated mine, which collapsed on January 6, leaving nine workers trapped.
The first body, identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth from Nepal, was recovered on January 8. Three more bodies were retrieved on January 11, identified as Lijen Magar (27) from Kalamati village in Umrangso, Khusi Mohan Rai (57) from Magergaon in Kokrajhar, and Sarat Goyary (37) from Thailapara in Sonitpur. Rescue operations are now focused on locating the remaining five miners, whose fate remains uncertain.
A 12-member special rescue team from Coal India Limited arrived on Friday to assist in the efforts. The operation has been hindered by the flooded conditions of the narrow rat-hole mine, a form of illegal mining notorious for its unsafe practices and environmental hazards.
Amid the rescue efforts, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gogoi expressed concern over the tragedy, urging action against illegal mining practices. “The tragic collapse and flooding of this illegal rat-hole coal mine in Dima Hasao have highlighted the dire need for accountability and reform,” Gogoi wrote, emphasizing the urgency of ensuring the safety of mine workers.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the registration of an FIR and the arrest of one individual linked to the mine collapse. “The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957,” Sarma posted on X. The arrested individual, identified as Punish Nunisa, is believed to be connected to the illegal mining operation.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the dangers of illegal mining in the region, as well as the need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations. As rescue operations enter their sixth day, families of the trapped miners, along with the local community, await further updates with heavy hearts.
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