Shillong, June 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said the State has activated as many channels as possible and trying to bring everyone together to help in the rescue operation for the trapped miners in East Jaintia Hills.

At least five miners are feared trapped inside a coal mine in Sutnga Elaka after a tragic accident that took place on the night of May 30. So far, police have arrested the owner of the coal mine, Shining Langstang, and charged him for violation of the NGT order banning unscientific mining and transportation of coal.

Speaking to reporters, Conrad said “…we are trying to pull and bring everybody on board to try and help us. The Navy has come, the NDRF is there, and the SDRF has already been working there for a very long time” but the rescue operation has been almost a non-starter due to continuous rise in water level in the mine.

He said efforts have been made to pump out the water but it keeps increasing, making the operation a challenge.

He added that the government is also communicating with the Coal India Limited and other organizations for their assistance.

He, however, hoped that something still comes out of the efforts of so many organizations working together, even as he informed that he is waiting for reports from the Indian Navy team on the site.