SHILLONG: UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday questioned the government for withholding information on the circumstances that led to the death of 16 coal miners in Garo Hills.
Taking strong note of the incident the UDP legislator raised a call attention motion on the news report on mining tragedy in Garo Hills which killed 16 minors in July last year and the concerns of National Green Tribunal on the issue.
Replying to the motion, Labour Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh gave only a ‘sketchy report’ by citing that the matter is sub-judice.
According to Ampareen, labourers believed to be numbering around 16 were trapped in the coal mine at Nengkol in Rongsa Awe of Nangalbibra, South Garo Hills district.
A detailed report was called from the Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills, Ampareen said.
The National Disaster and Relief Team was requested to mount a rescue mission and they
carried out search and rescue operation on the evening of July 11 . The preliminary report was submitted to Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills.
Lyngdoh said that the High Court took up the matter and filed a suo-moto PIL based on newspaper reports which is presently heard by the National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi . The last hearing was held on October 7 and the next has been fixed for November 15.
“Hence the matter is sub judice at present,” Ampareen said.
As per news report, the National Green Tribunal had pulled up the State Government for not giving any clear cut reply on the nature of death of the miners.
” I am disappointed with the reply of the Minister as it is too sketchy and does not have any reference to the circumstances leading to the accident,” Paul Lyngdoh said adding that it is yet to be known whether mine safety was upheld.
According to Paul Lyngdoh, for the last 10 years, almost 100 miners have died in similar accidents like the one in question.
The UDP legislator said when the entire media highlighted the details of the July incident, why should the information be withheld from the House by the Minister.
He also wanted to know why members of the House cannot get the details of the incident.
Both the Labour Minister and the Assembly Speaker reiterated that since the matter is sub judice, details cannot be divulged, though the Tribunal have details to the media.