SHILLONG: In a development that could mark the beginning of the end of one of the most protracted rescue operations ever, all the families of the miners trapped in the coal mine at Ksan in East Jaintia Hills, have written to the state government saying they have no objection to the effort being called off as it has proved to be futile.
Disclosing it here on Tuesday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla said that the relatives of the coal miners from West Garo Hills have already sent their letters through their local MLA Azad Zaman to the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills where the ill-fated mine is located.
Earlier, the relatives of the trapped miners from East Jaintia Hills and Assam had given their consent to discontinue the rescue operations.
The rescue operations were kicked off on December 14 last year, a day after the mine was flooded and 16 miners were trapped. As days wore on the effort grew bigger as the army and navy were also roped in besides firefighters from Odisha, Coal India Limited and experts in the field of geology, hydrology and allied sciences among others. Till date, however, only two bodies could be retrieved while another though located could not be brought out.
While de-watering of the affected mine and several others in the vicinity continues, there has been little change in their water levels. In fact, it has only increased over the past few days following rain the area.
The exercise continues at the direction of the Supreme Court which has been monitoring it after a PIL was filed in this connection. However, it had recently asked that the opinion of the kin of the trapped miners be taken whether they wanted the rescue effort to continue.
Shylla said that now since the letters from the relatives of all the miners have been received, the Chief Minister will take further steps to have the rescue operation called off.
The state government is also supposed to produce the letters of the families before the Supreme Court for necessary orders.
