Shillong, July 8: Meghalaya government has suspended the operation to retrieve the bodies of the miners trapped inside a coal mine at Krem U Le, Umpleng in East Jaintia Hills District. The operation was officially suspended on Thursday (July 8, 2021) following unfeasible conditions due to inclement weather.

“The rescue operations have been suspended until further notice,” E Kharmalki, Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills said on Thursday.

The operation was severely hampered by the incessant rains, due to which the water level kept rising, making it near impossible for divers to enter the mine shaft to look for bodies.

The rescuers had been unable to proceed with the operations for the last one week due to rains.

“…the Indian Navy based on their request to de-induct the team from the rescue operation, have left the district yesterday (Wednesday) along with their diving equipments to Guwahati,” the DC said.

Further, considering the onset of the monsoon season, the diving teams are required for rescue operations elsewhere in the country, he added.

He informed that the services of the NDRF and SDRF have also been de-requisitioned with effect from July 7, evening.

So far, the divers from Indian Navy were able to retrieve bodies of three miners from the main shaft of the mine. The three bodies were recovered from 152 meter-deep coal mine on June 16, 24, and 25, respectively. The bodies have been identified as Anowarul Islam, Abdul Sakur and Shyam Charan Debberma by their family members.

Meghalaya government has spent approximately Rs. 20-25 lakh for the entire operation, which lasted over a month. The rescue operation has begun on June 01, 2021.

At least five miners got trapped inside an illegal coal mine at Krem U Le in Umpleng under the Sutnga Elaka of the district after a tragic accident that took place on the night of May 30, 2021. Over 50 personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDFR), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), Indian Navy, Fire and Emergency Service and the police had been camping at the site the entire time of the operation to search and retrieve the trapped miners. 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.