Guwahati, Feb 6: Six of the 19 workers killed in the devastating coal mine explosion in Meghalaya were residents of Assam’s Cachar district, Deputy Commissioner Aayush Garg confirmed on Friday, as rescue and relief operations intensified across state lines.
The blast, triggered by a suspected dynamite explosion inside a coal mine at Mynsyngat village in the Thangsko area of Elaka Sutnga under Saipung C&RD Block, occurred on February 5. Search and rescue operations formally began at 9:55 am on February 6.
“As per verified information, six deceased persons from Cachar district have been identified in connection with the incident,” Garg said in an official statement.
The deceased from Cachar include two brothers — Anwar Hussain and Dilwar Hussain of Sarishakuri village — who had travelled to Meghalaya in search of work to support their families. The other victims have been identified as Purunjay Vaishnav, Nikunj Vaishnav, Faruk Ahmed and Krishna Vaishnav. All were reportedly working inside the mine when the explosion occurred.
Five injured labourers from Cachar — Saidur Rahman, Ramchandra Vaishnav, Niman Uddin, Krishnadhan Vaishnav and Bishnudhan Vaishnav — have been admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).
Hospital authorities confirmed that two of them remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit.
The tragedy has prompted a massive, multi-agency response. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Special Rescue Team (SRT) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed. Medical teams from Jowai and Shillong, along with ambulances for emergency evacuation, are on the ground. BSF personnel with medical support infrastructure have also been mobilised, while the Army and Air Force remain on standby.
Senior officials, including Roktim Baruah, ACS, Additional District Commissioner-cum-CEO, DDMA Cachar, and disaster management officers from Katigorah and Silchar, are overseeing coordination and support measures.
“The situation is being closely monitored at the highest administrative level, and all necessary logistics, medical services and coordination mechanisms have been activated,” Garg said, adding that the Cachar district administration remains committed to extending full administrative and humanitarian assistance to the affected families.
Katigorah MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha visited the bereaved families and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Chief Minister, assuring them of government support.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway.
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