Shillong, Feb 19: Police have registered a suo motu case against the mine owner identified as Alfred Rongri alias Pek, a resident of Kyllonmathei, Shallang, West Khasi Hills for the death of two coal labourers from Boko in Langmar coal quarry (in pictures) recently.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the West Khasi Hills SP, Herbert G Lyngdoh said the mine owner has illegally induced ‘reconnaissance for prospecting illegal coal mining operation in the area without permit or license thereby violating section 4(1) of MMDR Act and the order of the NGT’.
According to the SP, by violating the rules, the two workers lost their lives due to act of negligence and irresponsible behaviour on the part of the mine owner.
“In this connection a suo moto case vide Shallang PS C/No. 02(02)2020, U/S 188/304A IPC, R/W Sec. 21(1)of MMDR Act was registered and all out efforts are made to arrest the mine owner who is presently absconding”, the SP said.
The police official said when the incident related to the death of the Assam miners inside coal quarry was reported in newspapers, an inquiry was conducted by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Mawshynrut Sub Division and found out that on the intervening night of February 16 and 17, two persons Sukur Ali (35), son of Umar Ali, resident of Botiamary,PS Boko, Kamrup, Assam and Ainuddin Ali (35), son of Ishahak Ali, resident of Malibari Pathar, also under PS Boko, had gone to Langmar coal quarry area in Shallang to surveythe abandoned and unused coal quarry on being instructed by the mine owner.
“But when the two persons entered inside the quarry, both of them died inside the quarry due to asphyxiation”, police said.
According to the official, immediately after the incident, the bodies of the two persons were taken to their homes by their friends without reporting the incident to the police.
