Shillong, July 13: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured of action against violators of law in the tragic death of five workers at Lapalang here and that effort is on to examine ways to provide support to the bereaved families.
“Action will be taken against those who are doing this. There were rules and certain things were prohibited. Individuals, who are not following those prohibitions, are breaking the law… appropriate action will be taken against them,” Sangma said while responding to a media query on Monday.
Referring to the poor economic background of the victim workers, he said, the government was looking at options for providing financial assistance to the families.
Several organisations including National People’s Party (NPP) have sent representations to the Chief Minister seeking assistance for the families.
“I have received a letter yesterday from some of the NPP members, the Nongthymmai unit…and even from other units from different constituencies. So all the constituency party units have written to me,” he said.
Noting that existing disaster management norms do not cover such accidents, he assured that a decision would be taken considering the background of the victims.
“The problem is that in disaster management, there is no provision to support such accidents…. But as I said because they are from poor backgrounds, I will examine the matter and I will take a decision,” Sangma said.
The five workers died due to generator fume inhalation while pumping water from a borewell at Lapalang, Shillong.
