Guwahati, Jan 11: The body of Lijan Magar (26), son of Dal Bahadur Magar and a resident of Assam Coal Quarry in Umrongso, was recovered on Saturday morning from the ill-fated coal mining site at 3 Kilo, Ymrongso. The recovery marks the fifth day of an intensive multi-agency rescue operation led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The NDRF spokesperson confirmed that the body was retrieved from the bottom of the flooded mine and subsequently handed over to local police authorities. Efforts to rescue eight remaining miners trapped in the mine continue amid significant challenges posed by water accumulation.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday night, detailed the ongoing rescue efforts, which involve a joint task force comprising NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indian Army, Navy, and Assam Rifles. Extensive dewatering operations are being carried out to clear the mine of its dangerous water levels.
“In three days, we have managed to dewater seven meters inside the mine, but approximately 26 meters of water still remain,” Sarma said. A specialized dewatering pump sourced from Nagpur is en route to expedite the process.
“If the pump functions as expected, dewatering could be completed within 48 hours. However, complications from interconnected wells may cause significant delays if the equipment fails,” he cautioned.
The Chief Minister also clarified that the mine, legally operated by the Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC), had been abandoned for over 12 years. The miners’ recent entry into the site was deemed unauthorized and illegal.
“One miner’s body has been recovered, but eight others are still trapped. Authorities have arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for orchestrating this illegal operation,” Sarma revealed.
When questioned about the potential involvement of Chief Executive Member (CEM) Debolal Gorlosa, Sarma stressed that investigations are ongoing, and Gorlosa’s name has not been implicated so far. “This is a human tragedy and should not be politicized,” he urged.
