By Our Reporter
Shillong: The Shillong bench of Gauhati High Court has sought a report from the state government on the recent coal mine tragedy in Garo Hills and also on the steps taken to ensure safety of miners in the State.
Accepting a suo-moto PIL on the coal mine mishap, which reportedly claimed 15 lives, the bench directed the state government to submit the report in the form of affidavit by August 28.
The suo-moto PIL was registered following a note from the Registrar of the Shillong bench of the High Court who presented newspaper reports to the court in relation to the “reported” incident.
Observing that the death of 15 miners reported in the news item once again highlighted the depressing conditions in which they worked, the court said, “It is not exactly known as to what actions have been taken by the State Government to improve the working conditions and safety of coal miners in the State.”
The court also asked the state government to present a report on the steps taken to enquire into the circumstances which led to the tragedy. The report will have to mention the identity of the miners who are feared dead and whether any ex-gratia payment was made to their families.
Observing the fact that the Government is contemplating a mining policy for the State, the court said the same cannot wait as human life is too precious. It has also highlighted that the rescue operations conducted by the State police and other organizations hitherto appeared to be too little, too late as none of those fifteen miners were apparently rescued alive. The court was constrained to intervene into the matter since this is not the first incident of its kind in Meghalaya. In this connection, A Paul has been appointed to assist in this case as Amicus Curiae.