Inside Meghalaya's coal mines: Lives at risk, violation of NGT ban

(Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) The mine is located at Ksan in Saipung area of the district and stands next to Lytein river, whose water is said to have gushed into the mine, trapping the workers. (Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) Nothing but three helmets of workers have been recovered in over 10 days of search operations by the NDRF and SRDF. The relatives of the miners have accepted that the men would not return. In West Garo Hills district's Magurmari village, from where five of the 15 men hail. (Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat-holes", as each just about fits one person.(Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) According to government reports, the coal mining industry was among the biggest revenue earners for the state, generating about Rs 700 crore annually, prior to its ban in 2014. (Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) The National Green Tribunal had cited safety of miners as one of the reasons when it clamped down on coal mining in the state. (Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) Unlike other parts of the country, land in Meghalaya is owned privately or by a community, under customary laws and protected by the Autonomous District Councils formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. (Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) In November 2018, rights activist Agnes Kharshiing and her companion were attacked by a group of people who were suspected to be members of coal mining mafia in East Jaintia Hills district. Kharshiing had reportedly captured photographs of illegal rat-hole mining in the district and was stopped by miscreants on their way back. (Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) Four years after the National Green Tribunal ordered a ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, illegal practices continue unabated in the state, putting lives at risk every day. (Express archive photo: Tashi Tobgyal) Dailyhunthttps://issuu.com/zeekrpheek

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