Meghalaya’s rat hole traps
6 years ago

Meghalaya’s rat hole traps

The Hindu  

It was the compensation cheque, for ₹1 lakh, that convinced Solibar Rahman, 64, that he would never see his 20-year-old son, Monirul Islam, ever again. Monirul is one of the 15 miners trapped in a coal mine barely 2 ft wide — hence called a ‘rat hole’ — in Meghalaya since December 13. Says Daly, “Today not even a tadpole is there in the river that flows into Bangladesh, which is also bearing the brunt of mining-induced pollution.” What fast-tracked the NGT ban was the presumed death of 15 miners at Nengkol in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district on July 6, 2012. It says: “Coal mining in Meghalaya operates as a ‘shadow’ economy, wherein district councils, traders’ associations, armed extortionists and insurgents, various tiers of government, border security forces, and even weigh bridge and toll gate operators have long operated with legal impunity — that is, until the 2014 NGT ban.” It blames loopholes in the Sixth Schedule and the land tenure system. This needs to be stopped immediately.” Catch-22 situation Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s ruling National People’s Party had promised before the Assembly polls in 2018 to get coal mining back on track.

Bangladesh Meghalaya Mining Coal State Sheikh Villages Hole Mines Miners District Ban Village Ngt Rahman Daly Hills Rat Coal Mining Jaintia Hills Khliehriat Extracted Coal Monirul Lumthari Village Bogidari Ksan Bhangnamari  villages  hole  meghalayas  district  miners  hills  traps  mining  village  rat  coal  meghalaya  mines  ban

History of this topic

Assam mine tragedy: Six-year-old query from Supreme Court on rat-hole mines remains unanswered
2 days, 5 hours ago

Assam mine tragedy: Six-year-old query from Supreme Court on rat-hole mines remains unanswered

The Hindu  

An oral question from the Supreme Court to the Union government continues to remain unanswered even as rescue workers recover bodies of workers who died trapped in a flooded rat-hole coal mine at Dima Hasao district in Assam. On January 11, 2019, nearly six years ago, the top court had asked whether rat-hole mines could possibly operate in the northeast …

Assam mining tragedy: Rescue operations enter day 7
3 days, 11 hours ago

Assam mining tragedy: Rescue operations enter day 7

Deccan Chronicle  

The joint search and rescue operations are underway at the rat-hole coal mine at 3 Kilo Umrangso area in Assam's Dima Hasao to locate 5 other trapped workers.The rescue teams of the Indian army, Indian Navy, NDRF and other agencies have retrieved four bodies from the flooded rat-hole mine. The rescue operations are still underway, with five miners still missing.A …

Rat-hole miners roped in to rescue child stuck inside borewell for over 48 hours
3 weeks ago

Rat-hole miners roped in to rescue child stuck inside borewell for over 48 hours

India Today  

Efforts to rescue 3-year-old Chetna continue in Rajasthan's Kotputli, over 48 hours since she fell into a borewell. Chetna fell into a 700-feet deep borewell in the Kotputli district of Rajasthan on Monday evening and got stuck at 150 feet. The technique delivered huge success last year in November, as a team of seven rat-hole miners rescued 41 workers trapped …

None of 26,000 rat-hole mines closed yet, Meghalaya HC told
8 months ago

None of 26,000 rat-hole mines closed yet, Meghalaya HC told

Hindustan Times  

None of the 26,000 abandoned rat-hole mines in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya has so far been closed despite an order, posing a threat of loss of life to humans as well as livestock, according to an interim report of a committee formed to monitor the mining and transportation of coal in the north-eastern state. The National Green Tribunal …

Fire in Nagaland’s ‘rat-hole’ coal mine kills many
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Fire in Nagaland’s ‘rat-hole’ coal mine kills many

The Hindu  

GUWAHATI Six workers were killed and four others seriously injured after a fire broke out in a rat-hole coal mine in Nagaland’s Wokha district in the afternoon of January 25. The district officials did not provide details of the mishap but local MLA Achumbemo Kikon said the fire incident was reported from a rat-hole coal mine between 12:30 and 1 …

In Pictures | Crumbling hills of Meghalaya
1 year, 1 month ago

In Pictures | Crumbling hills of Meghalaya

The Hindu  

Meghalaya, a small State in the northeastern region of India, has an abundance of coal and limestone. While rat-hole mining have destroyed the hills in West Jaintia, open quarrying for limestone and sand-mining have hit Meghalaya. Hollowed out: Rat hole sand mining which destroyed the hills in West Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. of Meghalaya has urged people of Jaintia Hills …

What are ‘rat miners’? Controversial specialists brought in for final stretch of India tunnel rescue
1 year, 1 month ago

What are ‘rat miners’? Controversial specialists brought in for final stretch of India tunnel rescue

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A mining technique that has …

How the Controversial Rat-hole Mining Helped in Saving Trapped Workers in Uttarkashi Tunnel
1 year, 1 month ago

How the Controversial Rat-hole Mining Helped in Saving Trapped Workers in Uttarkashi Tunnel

News 18  

After all the efforts to rescue 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel failed to make headway, a banned mining practice came to the aid of the rescuers. The Rat-hole mining technique, which began on Monday, helped reduce the distance between the trapped workers and the rescuers as a team of “rat-hole miners” drilled through tonnes of concrete and …

The Minor Coal Miners of Meghalaya
2 years ago

The Minor Coal Miners of Meghalaya

News 18  

When the sun sets early in Meghalaya’s Jaintia hills, the scenic beauty resembles a Monet painting. In this picturesque surreal beauty lay the dark, ugly truth of minor coal miners and the harsh reality of human trafficking. In the biting cold of Meghalaya where the hilly roads are covered in rain, most part of the year, one can find the …

First Body Retrieved from Flooded Meghalaya Coal Mine
3 years, 6 months ago

First Body Retrieved from Flooded Meghalaya Coal Mine

News 18  

A body was retrieved on Wednesday afternoon from the flooded coal pit in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district where five miners were trapped since May 30, an official said. The operation to retrieve the second “suspicious object” was called off as the visibility in the water was affected during the retrieval of the first body, the official said. The ROV …

5 Trapped for 14 Days in Meghalaya Mine, Navy Joins Rescue Efforts
3 years, 7 months ago

5 Trapped for 14 Days in Meghalaya Mine, Navy Joins Rescue Efforts

News 18  

The Indian Navy, which was able to pull out three bodies from a flooded mine in Meghalaya using a sophisticated machine in 2019, on Sunday joined operations to rescue five miners trapped for 14 days in another such illegal coal mine in the state, an official said. The water level in the mine at Umpleng in East Jaintia Hills district, …

Navy to Join in Meghalaya Mine Rescue Efforts; 5 Trapped for 13 Days
3 years, 7 months ago

Navy to Join in Meghalaya Mine Rescue Efforts; 5 Trapped for 13 Days

News 18  

The Indian Navy, which was able to pull out three bodies from a flooded mine in Meghalaya using a sophisticated machine in 2019, will be joining operations to rescue five miners trapped for 13 days in another such illegal coal mine in the state, an official said on Saturday. The water level in the mine at Umpleng in East Jaintia …

Miners Still Trapped in Meghalaya Coal Mine, Rain Hampers Rescue Efforts
3 years, 7 months ago

Miners Still Trapped in Meghalaya Coal Mine, Rain Hampers Rescue Efforts

News 18  

Heavy rainfall on Tuesday is hampering operations to rescue at least five miners trapped for two days deep inside an illegal rat-hole coal pit in Meghalayas East Jaintia Hills district, officials said. The district administration has identified five miners four from Assam and one from Tripura who were trapped at the coal pit in the remote Umpleng area of Sutnga …

Meghalaya: 5 labourers trapped following flooding at coal mine in East Jaintia Hills
3 years, 7 months ago

Meghalaya: 5 labourers trapped following flooding at coal mine in East Jaintia Hills

India TV News  

Four labourers from Assam and one from Tripura were feared trapped after a dynamite blast led to the flooding of a coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, a senior police officer said. The delay in identification of the probable site was due to inclement weather, poor night light condition, and non-availability of any eye-witness account," the East …

Five Labourers Feared Trapped After Explosion in Illegal Coal Mine in Meghalaya, FIR Registered
3 years, 7 months ago

Five Labourers Feared Trapped After Explosion in Illegal Coal Mine in Meghalaya, FIR Registered

News 18  

A case was on Monday registered in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills police station on the basis of some eye-witnesses against an incident of illegal rat-hole coal mining which left five labourers feared trapped inside the mine after it collapsed due to a “sudden explosion of dynamite”. The district police were able to identify the probable location of the incident at …

At least five workers from Assam feared trapped in coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills, FIR registered
3 years, 7 months ago

At least five workers from Assam feared trapped in coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills, FIR registered

India Today  

At least five workers from Assam are suspected to be trapped in a coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district after it collapsed due to a “sudden explosion of dynamite". Earlier on Monday, Meghalaya Police said that information has received from SP Silchar that six persons from Assam are trapped in a coal mine in EJ Hills. One of …

Meghalaya: Six dead in illegal coal mine disaster
3 years, 11 months ago

Meghalaya: Six dead in illegal coal mine disaster

India TV News  

A mechanical structure collapsed at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, killing six miners, an official said on Friday. While the workers were digging a hole in the mine the mechanical structure got dismantled following which they fell into a pit and died," he said. At least 15 labourers had got trapped after water from Lytein …

6 miners killed at abandoned coal mine in Meghalaya after falling into 150ft deep pit
3 years, 11 months ago

6 miners killed at abandoned coal mine in Meghalaya after falling into 150ft deep pit

India Today  

At least six labourers were killed in an accident inside an abandoned coal mine in Meghalaya. One of the biggest tragedy in the state in recent times occurred on December 13, 2018 when 15 miners were trapped inside an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills. The search and rescue operation was abandoned after 60 days of searching the 15 …

'Will not abandon' rescue of Meghalaya miners: Centre, Meghalaya govt assure SC day after navy suspends ops
5 years, 11 months ago

'Will not abandon' rescue of Meghalaya miners: Centre, Meghalaya govt assure SC day after navy suspends ops

Firstpost  

The Centre and the Meghalaya government told the Supreme Court that operations to rescue the 15 miners trapped in a rat-hole mine in the East Jaintia Hills district of the state will not be abandoned. The Centre and the Meghalaya government told the Supreme Court that operations to rescue the miners trapped in a rat-hole mine in the East Jaintia …

Body of trapped Indian ‘rat-hole’ miner found after 35 days
5 years, 11 months ago

Body of trapped Indian ‘rat-hole’ miner found after 35 days

Al Jazeera  

Indian Navy divers find body of one of 15 miners who went missing in a flooded coal mine in remote Meghalaya state. Indian emergency workers have said they have found the body of one of the 15 miners trapped inside a so-called “rat-hole” mine for over a month. 190101084203248 “The body has been pulled up to the mouth of rat-hole …

Meghalaya: Two miners die as another coal mine collapses in East Jaintia Hills; fate of 15 trapped miners at Ksan village remains uncertain
6 years ago

Meghalaya: Two miners die as another coal mine collapses in East Jaintia Hills; fate of 15 trapped miners at Ksan village remains uncertain

India TV News  

As the fate of 15 miners trapped inside a flooded coal pit remained uncertain, two coal miners were killed after another coal mine collapsed in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills, an official said on Sunday. The second man was identified as Monoj Basumatry.” "It is suspected that boulders hit them when they tried to extract coal," Nongtnger said, adding efforts are …

Indian miners trapped in illegal ‘rat-hole’ pit for more than three weeks
6 years ago

Indian miners trapped in illegal ‘rat-hole’ pit for more than three weeks

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Indian rescuers trying to reach …

'Trapped Meghalaya miners should be brought out dead or alive': Supreme Court pulls up state govt over plight of workers
6 years ago

'Trapped Meghalaya miners should be brought out dead or alive': Supreme Court pulls up state govt over plight of workers

Firstpost  

The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Meghalaya government over the plight of the 15 miners who have been trapped in a rat hole coal mine since 13 December. We pray to God they are alive.” The 15 miners have been trapped in a 370-feet deep illegal mine in Lumthari village since 13 December, when water from the nearby …

Poverty drives India’s ‘rat-hole’ miners into death traps
6 years ago

Poverty drives India’s ‘rat-hole’ miners into death traps

Al Jazeera  

Twenty days after 15 miners were trapped in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya state, the search for them goes on. 160707062855721 “Rat-hole” mining was banned in 2014 by India’s National Green Tribunal following a petition that said the acidic discharge from the coal mines was polluting the Kopili River downstream. “Both Mozid and Mizanur decided that the only way …

Survivor of Meghalaya mine tragedy says ‘no way trapped miners will still be alive’ even as NDRF, navy divers gear up for rescue efforts
6 years ago

Survivor of Meghalaya mine tragedy says ‘no way trapped miners will still be alive’ even as NDRF, navy divers gear up for rescue efforts

Firstpost  

As operation to rescue 15 trapped miners continue at the 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district, a survivor of the 13 December accident said on Saturday that there is no way the trapped miners will come out alive. Shillong: As operation to rescue 15 trapped miners continue at the 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills …

Meghalaya mine collapse: 16 days on, 3 helmets found; no sign of 15 miners yet | 10 points
6 years ago

Meghalaya mine collapse: 16 days on, 3 helmets found; no sign of 15 miners yet | 10 points

India TV News  

Even though chances of survival are bleak for the 15 miners who are trapped inside a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya since December 13, rescue operations are being intensified by mining experts, firefighters and Indian Navy. Indian Navy divers on Saturday joined the operation underway to rescue 15 miners trapped inside a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya since …

Plight of trapped miners in Meghalaya raises important question: Just how low will mining elite stoop to make a profit?
6 years ago

Plight of trapped miners in Meghalaya raises important question: Just how low will mining elite stoop to make a profit?

Firstpost  

Only by a strange twist of fate will the miners — trapped in the flooded mine at Ksan in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills for over two weeks — survive the catastrophe Only by a strange twist of fate will the miners — trapped in the flooded mine at Ksan in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills for over two weeks — survive …

Man held in connection with Meghalaya mine mishap admit he's owner of quarry, two mine managers still absconding
6 years ago

Man held in connection with Meghalaya mine mishap admit he's owner of quarry, two mine managers still absconding

Firstpost  

Fifteen miners were trapped in the “rat-hole” mine on 13 December after water from nearby Lytein river gushed into it. Shillong: The man, who was arrested in connection with the mine mishap in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district a fortnight ago, has admitted that he was the owner of the 370-foot-deep illegal quarry, police said on Sunday. Sukhlain facilitates mine …

In Meghalaya, where it took 15 deaths for the reality of illegal mining to hit hard
6 years ago

In Meghalaya, where it took 15 deaths for the reality of illegal mining to hit hard

The Hindu  

An ‘underground economy’ has for long been known to fuel Meghalaya’s politics. It has taken the collapse of a coal mine and – in all probability – the death of at least 15 miners for the reality of illegal mining to hit hard. Singh of the North Eastern Hill University that said mining in the coal belts and coal stockpiles …

Time running out for trapped miners, hope Coal India Ltd acts on our plea for special pumps, says Meghalaya CM
6 years ago

Time running out for trapped miners, hope Coal India Ltd acts on our plea for special pumps, says Meghalaya CM

Firstpost  

The miners were trapped after water from the nearby Lytein river gushed into the illegal rat-hole mine at Ksan area in Lumthari village. Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Saturday said time was running out for the miners trapped inside a 370-foot illegal coal mine since December 13 and in its last ditch effort to save them, the state …

Number of miners trapped in 'rat-hole' coal mine in Meghalaya goes up to 15: 7 days on, incessant rain makes rescue ops tricky
6 years ago

Number of miners trapped in 'rat-hole' coal mine in Meghalaya goes up to 15: 7 days on, incessant rain makes rescue ops tricky

Firstpost  

The number of people trapped inside the rat-hole mines of East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya has gone up to 15. Reports confirmed the news as officials are still attempting to rescue the miners who have been tapped inside the illegal coal mines. Shillong: The number of people trapped inside the rat-hole mines of East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya …

Massive operation on to rescue 13 people trapped in illegal mine in Meghalaya
6 years, 1 month ago

Massive operation on to rescue 13 people trapped in illegal mine in Meghalaya

India TV News  

A massive rescue and search operation is on to pull out 13 people who are trapped inside an illegal 'rat hole' coal mine in a remote part of Meghalaya since last two days. Teams of NDRF and state police involving about 100 personnel are trying to reach the trapped people inside the the mine which is said to be 320-feet …

Meghalaya: Operations continue to rescue 13 miners trapped in coal pit filled with gallons of water
6 years, 1 month ago

Meghalaya: Operations continue to rescue 13 miners trapped in coal pit filled with gallons of water

India TV News  

Thirteen miners, who were trapped inside a coal pit filled with gallons of water in Meghalayas East Jaintia Hills district, were yet to be reached or rescued, district police chief said on Friday. "We are yet to recover the dead bodies from the pit," Sylvester Nongtnger, the district police chief of East Jaintia Hills told IANS. The accident inside the …

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