UMRANGSO— Desperation and anguish hang heavy over the families of 15 laborers trapped inside a flooded coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, Dima Hasao district. As rescue operations continue, family members are pleading for immediate assistance, both to save their loved ones and to alleviate their financial struggles.
“We want him here, whether he is alive or only his body remains,” said a distraught relative of Khusi Mohan Rai, one of the trapped workers. The family, like many others, is economically disadvantaged and reliant on daily wages. They have urged the government to provide urgent financial support to navigate this crisis.
The Indian Army has deployed a relief task force to the site, while teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are en route to bolster the rescue efforts. Authorities have also brought in specialized equipment to pump water from the mine, but the operation remains challenging.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assured the families that the government is committed to providing every possible resource for the rescue. The identities of the trapped miners have been confirmed, and their families have been promised assistance. However, the uncertainty is proving agonizing for those awaiting news.
“We have fewer opportunities for work, and that is why my uncle went to the coal mine,” a family member shared. “Now we are helpless. We need the government to step in, not only for the rescue but also for economic support.”
Most of the trapped workers’ families are from marginalized communities, and their appeals underscore the dual crises they face: the potential loss of loved ones and the economic hardships exacerbated by the tragedy.
The mine, suspected to be operating illegally, became inundated on January 6 after an underground water source was breached. This incident has also drawn attention to the broader issue of safety and regulation in mining operations across the region.
As rescue efforts continue, the trapped workers’ families are clinging to hope while urging the government to act swiftly, not only to bring their loved ones home but also to provide the financial aid they so desperately need.
Read More: Manipur: Villagers Protest Possible Withdrawal of Central Forces from Uyok Hills Amid Tensions