From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, June 13: The death of a 20-year-old labourer during renovation work at a property owned by prominent businessman and former MLA Ngaitlang Dhar has sparked urgent concerns over construction safety and labor protections in the heart of Nongpoh.
Jelin Mangu was killed and another worker seriously injured on Saturday morning when a concrete slab collapsed during demolition work. The incident occurred around 10 am while a crew of four young labourers was dismantling a wall inside the building. The slab suddenly gave way, trapping two men beneath the debris.
Local residents rushed to the site to assist in rescue efforts. Solar Lymphuid, 19, was pulled from the rubble with severe injuries and remains under medical care at Civil Hospital, Nongpoh. Mangu, however, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene following an extended recovery operation.
The two other workers present—Nalor Myrsing, 19, and Turbor Damblong, 22—escaped without injury. All four workers are residents of Umpathaw village in Ri-Bhoi district.
The tragedy has raised questions regarding the safety protocols in place for the young crew. Police have moved Mangu’s body to Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination and have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
Investigators from Nongpoh Police Station are now examining whether mandatory safety measures were followed during the demolition work at the high-profile property.
