At least 6 of the 18 workers killed in an illegal coal mine blast in Meghalaya hailed from Katigora in Assam’s Barak Valley, Chief Minister Himanta Vishwa Sharma announced an ex gratia. ₹5 lakh for each of their relatives.
Dominion Chief Minister Vishwa Sharma announced a special ₹5 lakh each for their relatives. (x)Sarma said he has directed Kamalakhya De Purkayastha, a minister and local MP, to meet the bereaved families and provide immediate assistance. Sarma said that the Chief Secretary of Assam is contacting his counterpart in Meghalaya to verify the identity of the victims. “We have sought detailed information about the victims in Assam. Our administration is in close coordination with the Meghalaya government.”
Five injured workers were brought to Silchar Medical College and Hospital late on Thursday night, officials said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Cachar, Assam) Raktim Barua said the identification process is still going on. “So that’s the final number [toll] That may change,” he said.
Apart from this Dr. Purakayastha ₹5 lakh, the family of the deceased will also get additional ₹2 lakhs from Central Govt. “Some of the casualties have been identified. We will hand over assistance to the families as soon as possible.”
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Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Sushmita Dev called for accountability. In a social media post, he said poverty often forces workers to risk their lives in unsafe and illegal mines.
Sarma said that Assamese do not usually work in illegal coal mines and suggested that some of the dead could be Bangladeshis, though he clarified that the identity was yet to be confirmed. “We should wait for verified information.”
