Six labourers from Assam’s Cachar killed in Meghalaya coal mine blast; five injured

At least six labourers from Assam’s Cachar district were killed and five others seriously injured in an explosion followed by a fire at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, plunging the Barak Valley into mourning.

The victims had travelled from Cachar to Meghalaya in search of livelihood. Among the deceased were two brothers, Anwar Hussain and Dilwar Hussain, residents of Sarishakuri village in Cachar, who had migrated for work to support their families.

Four other labourers from Cachar, Purunjay Vaishnav, Nikunj Vaishnav, Faruk Ahmed and Krishna Vaishnav, also lost their lives in the blast. All the victims were reportedly engaged in coal mining when the explosion occurred inside the mine on February 5.

Five labourers from Cachar who sustained injuries,  Saidur Rahman, Ramchandra Vaishnav, Niman Uddin, Krishnadhan Vaishnav and Bishnudhan Vaishnav were shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Hospital authorities said two of the injured remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit.

The tragedy has devastated several villages in Cachar, with families mourning the loss of their primary earners. Relatives said the labourers were compelled to take up hazardous work due to limited employment opportunities in the Barak Valley, forcing many to migrate to coal mines in neighbouring states despite the risks involved.

Following the incident, Katigorah MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha visited the homes of the deceased and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Chief Minister, assuring the families of government support and assistance.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the continued operation of illegal rat-hole coal mines in Meghalaya and the grave dangers faced by migrant labourers.