Three deceased labourers to get compensation
No ex gratia decision for two brothers yet
SHILLONG, July 21: The magisterial inquiry into the Lapalang tragedy that claimed five lives last week is yet to be concluded as the district administration awaits the post-mortem reports of the victims. A separate inquiry by the Deputy Labour Commissioner has, however, been completed and forwarded to facilitate compensation for the families of the three labourers who died on duty.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said on Tuesday that the findings of the magisterial inquiry would determine the circumstances of the incident, while the labour inquiry has been set in motion to ensure relief under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923.
“As part of the magisterial inquiry, the post-mortem report is still awaited. Since the report has not been received, we have not really been able to finalise the magisterial inquiry,” Baranwal told reporters.
On the compensation front, he said the Deputy Labour Commissioner has submitted his report. “We have asked him to forward it to the Commissioner for Employees’ Compensation so that the families of the three labourers who lost their lives while working under the contractor can receive some relief,” he added.
Baranwal clarified that a decision on whether the two rescuers also qualify for compensation will be taken only after the magisterial inquiry is completed.
The inquiry is examining the sequence of events, possible legal or procedural lapses, and whether a diesel pump was being used without the required permission to extract water from the underground reservoir.
The five victims have been identified as Pynskhemlang Mawthoh (22) and Rapborlang Nongspung (35), both from Thangsning, Smit; Elka Shadap (25) of Umiew Maw-u-Sam, Smit; and brothers Sunil Thakuri (34) and Umesh Thakuri (30) of Nongrah Dongktieh, Block-5, Shillong.
The tragedy occurred on Friday evening at Dongmadan Lane-4, Lapalang, when five persons died inside an approximately 33-foot-deep underground water reservoir after inhaling toxic fumes generated by a diesel pump. Three labourers engaged in cleaning the reservoir were trapped. Brothers Sunil and Umesh Thakuri rushed in to rescue them but were also overcome by the gas.
The district administration is expected to take further action based on the findings of the magisterial inquiry, while the compensation process for the three labourers will now proceed.
