GUWAHATI, Jan. 7: Assam Police have registered an FIR in connection with the mishap inside a coal mine at Umrangso in Dima Hasao district and arrested one person on Tuesday.
According to reports on Monday evening, at least nine labourers were feared trapped inside “Assam Coal Quarry” in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, after water from an unknown source had suddenly gushed inside the mine earlier in the day.
The water level inside the mine had risen to nearly 100 feet, according to the assessment by the stationed team. The cause of the water intrusion however is yet to be ascertained even as investigation is underway.
The FIR (case number 02/2025) was registered under Umrangso police station , citing Sections 3(5)/105 of BNS, read with Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident.
“Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case,” Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to confirm.
According to official sources in Dima Hasao, deep diving by NDRF and SDRF continued till Tuesday evening even as the trapped labourers were yet to be recovered (till 4pm).
“Dewatering has been stopped for the time being. A 30-member team of 1st NDRF along with an eight-member team of SDRF are stationed at the site of the incident,” an official informed on Tuesday evening.
Notably, Indian Army had on Monday evening mobilised a relief task force to rescue the labourers trapped in Umrangso.
Specialists, including deep divers and sappers, equipped with essential tools entered the mine on Tuesday as part of the rescue mission with senior officials coordinating with civil authorities for a prompt rescue operation.
“Engineers Task Force with equipment, divers and medical teams from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles have joined rescue efforts in Umrangso. All efforts are underway in close coordination with the civil administration,” PRO, Defence, Guwahati, stated on Tuesday morning.
Navy deep divers had also been requisitioned to assist in the rescue operations. The divers were flown in from Visakhapatnam.