Assam police arrested a manager linked to the rat-hole coal mine tragedy, where 9 workers trapped among them one worker dead body recovered in Umrangso, Dima Hasao.
The manager identified as Hanan Laskar. The incident, which has gained significant attention, highlights serious concerns about illegal mining in the area.
According to police officials, Hanan Laskar was employed by the mine owner and oversaw miner payments. Police are also working to identify others involved in running the illegal coal mine. The disaster, where 15 miners became trapped in the flooded Assam Coal Quarry in Dima Hasao on January 6, has raised demands for stricter enforcement of mining laws and better worker safety.
Authorities filed an FIR (Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025) under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Another person, Punish Nunisa, has also been arrested. Investigations and rescue operations are ongoing.
As per reports, the rescue operation is getting delayed because the flooding water of 3 Kilo coal mine in Umrangso has become acidic and hampering visibility, making the nondurability difficult for the Navi divers.
K Mere, General Manager, Northeastern Coal Field, told news agency ANI, “We have brought one high pump of 500 GMP from Nagpur and it is under installation. We have also brought two generators to allow this heavy pump to work.”
Mere added, “The installation will continue for 24 hours in three shifts. In one minute it can pump out 500 gallons of water. However, we don’t know the exact situation underground.”
