Guwahati, Jan 16: The Assam government will enlist the assistance of ISRO and foreign satellite agencies to procure time-lapse images of 220 coal mines in Umrangso, Dima Hasao district, for an in-depth investigation.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made this announcement on Thursday, following a cabinet meeting in Morigaon.
The investigation comes in the wake of a tragic incident on January 6 in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, where four miners lost their lives and five others remain trapped.
“We have directed the Revenue and Disaster Management Department to obtain satellite images from ISRO and international agencies to establish when mining activities began,” Sarma said. He emphasized the complexity of the task, which will require analyzing satellite imagery from 2024, 2020, 2014, and earlier.
Measures to Address the Crisis
The cabinet has decided to seek advice from the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) on filling the mines to prevent future incidents. “There are also reports of animal deaths linked to these mines,” the Chief Minister added.
Rescue officials briefed the cabinet on ongoing operations. The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Coal India, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) revealed that the mine initially held 14 crore litres of water. So far, 4 crore litres have been drained, leaving 11 crore litres to be removed.
“Experts estimate that dewatering the mine will take 25 to 60 days. The state cabinet has decided to proceed with assistance from the Indian Army and its engineering corps,” Sarma said.
Judicial Probe and SIT Formatio
To ensure accountability, the government has ordered a judicial inquiry led by retired Gauhati High Court judge Justice Anima Hazarika. The commission is expected to submit its findings within three months.
Additionally, the Director General of Police (DGP) has been instructed to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident based on an existing FIR. Justice Hazarika will oversee the SIT’s progress.
The Mines and Minerals Department has been directed to collaborate with central agencies to shut down all illegal rat-hole mines in the region.
Compensation for Victims’ Families
The Chief Minister announced that each of the nine victims’ families, including those whose bodies have not yet been recovered, will receive one-time financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh.
This multi-faceted approach aims to ensure justice for the victims while addressing the broader issues surrounding illegal mining in the region.
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