Shillong, June 16: Rescuers on Wednesday managed to fish out an unidentified body from the illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills. The body was retrieved around 12.30 pm from the main shaft of the mine.
The operation was carried out by a joint team of Indian Navy, NDRF and Meghalaya State Fire and Emergency services.
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.
The body retrieved on Wednesday was stuck under debris at the bottom of the main shaft and it was traced by deep divers of Navy. Safety measures and logistics for the operation were provided by NDRF i.e., dead body bag and other equipments of NDRF were utilised for this operation.
The dead body was carefully pulled out from the shaft and handed over to Officer-in-Charge of Saipung Police Station, in the presence of DC and ADC of East Jaintia Hills District.
The dead body has been dispatched to CHC Khliehriat by Police for post mortem and identification.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has maintained that the state will do everything in its power to trace the miners and the rescue operations will continue until something positive comes out.
