By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 7: Unverified reports from Thangskai village in East Jaintia Hills claim that three coal labourers were buried alive when a rat-hole mine collapsed on them recently.
Locals claim the bodies were quietly removed in the dead of the night to avoid attention.
Police say they received the same information and immediately rushed a team to the area. “We spoke to headmen, residents, and labourers on site, but no one confirmed any incident,” a senior officer said.
“No missing person complaint or death report has been filed at any police station in the district,” they added.
Officers have scoured nearby jungles and jungle areas and recorded a General Diary entry about the rumour and the verification. Checks are continuing, but so far nothing has been substantiated, police added.
East Jaintia Hills remains dotted with illegal and abandoned rat-hole mines despite a ban imposed in 2014.
Authorities caution that until concrete evidence emerges, the reported tragedy remains only a rumour.
