SHILLONG, July 12:While two brothers are being hailed as heroes for a fatal rescue attempt in Lapalang, Rynjah Police have summoned the apartment owner and contractor responsible for a 35-foot “death trap” that lacked basic safety ventilation.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed on Sunday that both individuals have been ordered to appear at the Rynjah Police Station on Monday to record their statements.
The police action follows an FIR lodged by the Sector Magistrate alleging negligence. A case has been registered (Rynjah PS Case No. 106(1)/2026) under Section 125(a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The tragedy, which occurred Friday evening, claimed the lives of five men. Three labourers—Pynskhemlang Mawthoh, Rapborlang Nongspung, and Elka Shadap—became trapped at the bottom of the shaft. Sunil Thakuri, 34, and his brother Umesh Thakuri, 30, died attempting to save them, unaware the narrow space had been filled with lethal carbon monoxide.
The Thakuri brothers lived nearby in Nongrah and were the sole providers for their elderly parents and a younger brother. Sunil, a widower, also leaves behind two young children.
Asenla Nongrum, the brothers’ landlady and president of Seng Longkmie Nongrah, questioned the legality and safety of the construction. She noted the shaft was approximately 35 feet deep but only three feet wide—a configuration that effectively turned the well into a gas chamber when a diesel pump was used inside.
“How can people survive inside such a narrow dug-out well?” Nongrum asked, alleging the owner had provided conflicting accounts of the well’s actual depth.
Recalling the final moments, Nongrum said a labourer who managed to escape raised the alarm at 7:40 pm. Sunil immediately went down to help, followed by Umesh. Before descending, Umesh handed his mobile phone and wallet to Nongrum. Neighbours reported hearing the brothers calling out to each other before the shaft went silent.
Umesh died shortly after being pulled out. Sunil was briefly revived via CPR but died on the way to NEIGRIHMS.
The investigation is now focused on the total absence of safety measures and whether the contractor and owner ignored basic physics by operating a combustion engine in a confined space. Police are expected to determine if the builder was licensed or an unauthorised middleman during Monday’s questioning.
