Meghalaya coal mine blast: cremated labourer returns home in Assam
Sribhumi/Hailakandi (PTI): A labourer reported dead in the East Jaintia Hills coal mine explosion in Meghalaya has returned home in Assam's Sribhumi district, officials said on Saturday.
The incident has prompted police forces of both the neighbouring states to launch a joint probe into the circumstances surrounding the labourer’s unexpected return after the blast.
"The labourer reached his home at Muliala village in Sribhumi district's Ramkrishna Nagar circle on Thursday. This sent a shockwave as already a body had been cremated," a senior official of the district administration told PTI.
The family of the 44-year-old Shyambabu Singha had gone to Meghalaya to locate him after the blast as his phone was unreachable, he added.
"His wife and daughter were taken to the hospital by the local authorities there after Singha could not be located. Due to the blast, most of blast victims' faces were damaged beyond recognition. His family identified one body as his," the official said.
The authorities then brought the body to his native place and it was cremated as per Hindu rituals, he added.
"Meghalaya and Assam police have jointly started an investigation into the chain of events. We cannot say anything further as it is a very sensitive matter and under probe," the official said.
He also said the family has been requested not to speak to the media due to the unexpected development and until a clear picture emerges.
An explosion at an illegal rat hole coal mine at Thangsku area of Mynsngat village in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya on February 5 has claimed at least 31 lives.
Meghalaya Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the explosion at the mine.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had also announced that a judicial inquiry commission would ascertain the circumstances leading to the blast and fix responsibility for the incident.
On February 9, the state government had called off search and rescue operations at the blast site after assessment teams concluded that there was no further possibility of locating survivors trapped inside the mine.
The state government has assured the Meghalaya High Court that strict action will be taken against those involved in running the illegal mine and that four persons have been arrested.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned rat-hole mining in 2014. However, coal is still extracted through this dangerous method in the Northeast.
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“Won’t bow down”: DK Shivakumar’s reply to protesters shouting ‘go back’ slogan at event
Davangere: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said he would not be shaken by protests after some youths raised “Go Back” slogans during a public event, asserting that he stands firmly by his principles.
He was speaking at the 287th birth anniversary celebration of Sant Sevalal held at Bhayagad-Soragondanakoppa in Nyamathi taluk of Davangere district on Saturday.
Referring to the Banjara community, Shivakumar said that it was the Congress government that stood by the community during times of injustice. He recalled that during K.T. Rathod’s tenure, the Banjara community was included in the Scheduled Caste category and the Tanda Development Corporation was established to improve their living conditions.
“We are gathered here to celebrate Sant Sevalal, who spread the message of truth, integrity, social justice, harmony and equality. Religion must have compassion. Without compassion, what is religion?” he said, recalling Basavanna’s teachings on kindness and equality.
He added that people are not born by choosing their caste and stressed the importance of human values above divisions. “This is a land of great social reformers like Sant Sevalal. Every community has its own cultural and religious identity. Our government has been working for the welfare of all communities,” he said.
Shivakumar said that during the government’s 1,000-day programme in Haveri, the Congress had reaffirmed its commitment to the people, including the Lambani community. “I have come here with affection for the Lambani people who have supported me,” he said.
Responding to the “Go Back” slogans, Shivakumar said, “Some youths have shouted ‘Go Back’ with affection. I have accepted it with love. But leaders on the stage invited me saying ‘Come Back’, and that is why I am here.”
He added, “A hundred people may shout. But D.K. Shivakumar is not someone who will bow down to a hundred voices. Thousands here know my principles and commitment. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has said that one who forgets history cannot create history.”
He said politics should not mix with religion. “There should be values in politics, but politics should not enter religion. When I contested from Kanakapura, I was elected with a margin of 1.23 lakh votes. The Lambani community, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes supported me wholeheartedly,” he said.
Shivakumar also advised that protests must be carried out in an appropriate manner and at the right forum.
He said raising slogans during a religious programme serves no purpose. “Even if some say ‘Go Back’, I will not be shaken. More people are saying ‘Come Back’ than ‘Go Back’,” he said.
Later, responding to media questions about BJP protests, he said the Congress government had ensured justice for all communities and introduced the 6-6-5 formula in the matter of internal reservation. “The BJP is unable to tolerate this. They are instigating around a hundred people out of fear of losing relevance,” he alleged.
He maintained that 90 per cent of the Lambani community supports the government and is focused on development, while a small section is engaging in politics. “It was the Congress that granted SC status to the Banjara community and set up the development corporation. We gave land rights to tandas. We will always stand with good people,” he said.
During the programme, a section of protesters displayed black cloths alleging injustice to the Lambani community in the implementation of internal reservation.
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