LUMTHARI/SHILLONG: The mothers of two trapped miners from Lumthari village in East Jaintia Hills want the bodies of their sons to be retrieved “if possible”.
Justina Dkhar, the mother of Dimonme Dkhar (20), whose body was retrieved in February, is eager to get back the body of her other son, 22-year-old Melambok Dkhar.
Adjacent to the residence of Justina, her elder sister Rita Dkhar shares similar concerns as her son Shallabas Dkhar is also trapped inside the mine. “If possible, please retrieve their bodies,” she said.
The Supreme Court had recently asked the petitioner of a PIL seeking steps for rescuing the miners to speak to the families of the trapped miners as to whether they want to get the bodies recovered since these may be in a completely decomposed condition.
Rita said Shallabas worked at the Ksan mine only for three days and on the third day, the tragedy struck the family leaving them in perpetual sorrow.
The poor family members are also not happy with the interim relief of Rs 1 lakh each provided by the government as the deceased were the sole bread earners. “We need the government to enhance the compensation,” Rita said.
She said Shallabas was the sixth of the seven sons and the family tills land belonging to others to eke out a living.
After the tragic incident, Justina, a single mother, is left with two daughters.
and Melambok Dkhar who were among the
missing miners. The body of Dimonme
was retrieved last month. (ST)
The mothers rued that their public representatives, MLA, MDC and MP are yet to reach out to them. “Only the deputy commissioner met us after the incident,” they said.