Rescue operations underway to trace migrant workers trapped in Meghalaya mine
Shillong: Rescue operations were underway on Tuesday to trace at least five migrant workers from Assam and Tripura who were trapped inside a rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia district, officials said.
The incident took place in Umpleng area on Sunday when water gushed in and inundated the mine after a dynamite explosion.
A manhunt has been launched to arrest the 'sordar' (mine manager) who fled the scene and threatened others against opening up about the incident, Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said.
One suspect has been detained but he tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently undergoing quarantine at a government facility at Khliehriat, he said.
As per the state government, four migrant labourers from Assam and one from Tripura are trapped in the mine.
However, Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla, who is also the local MLA, has asked the district deputy commissioner and SP to verify claims made by a person from Assam's Silchar that six persons were trapped inside the mine.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma held the state government responsible for the incident and alleged that illegal coal mining operates with complete impunity across Meghalaya.
"Never in the history of Meghalaya and NE India had such cartel operated with complete impunity engaging in illegal coal mining and illegal transportation and illegal transaction of such coal across the states -- robbing the states. Na khaunga, na khane dunga...kab hoga?" he tweeted.
The Congress leader had in the past raised the issue of illegal and unscientific mining and transportation of coal across the state.
"Illegality of this scale cannot happen without the patronage by the people in authority -- both illegal mining and illegal transportation go under the watch of the government," the former chief minister had said.
Congress leader Ampareen Lyngdoh also demanded to know "who profits from this system".
Although the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned unsafe and unscientific coal mining and transportation in 2014, another accident in Ksan area of the district in December 2018 had reportedly claimed the lives of more than 15 miners, of whom bodies of only three were retrieved.
Another coal mine in South Garo Hills district had flooded in 2012 and locals claimed 15 labourers were feared dead but none of their bodies were found.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
