Couple Loses Lives as Coal Mine Collapse Occurs in Shahdol
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Synopsis
In a tragic incident in Shahdol district's Dhangawan village, a couple perished when an illegal coal mining site collapsed. Local authorities have refuted the claims of illegality, stating the couple was extracting coal from a pit. Their deaths have sparked criticism against the government regarding safety measures and the mining mafia.
Key Takeaways
- Tragic loss of life due to coal mine collapse.
- Local police deny claims of illegal mining.
- Victims identified as Omkar and Parvati Yadav.
- Criticism from state Congress for government inaction.
- Investigation ongoing into the incident.
Bhopal, Feb 17 (NationPress) In a devastating incident in Dhangawan village, located in the Budhar Police station area of Shahdol district, a labor couple tragically lost their lives when an illegal coal mine collapsed. The unfortunate event transpired on the banks of the Son River on Sunday evening.
Despite this, local police have refuted claims of it being an illegal operation.
Sanjay Jaiswal, the in-charge of Budhar police station, informed IANS that the area is known for its rich coal deposits, with villagers frequently extracting it on their own. He stressed that it wasn't a mine in the conventional sense but rather a soil collapse occurring while the couple was retrieving coal from a pit approximately ten feet deep at the riverbank, which trapped them beneath the rubble.
Others who were present at the scene fled when they were unable to rescue the couple, according to the official. Local villagers later spotted the trapped pair and alerted the police. The victims were identified as Omkar Yadav and Parvati Yadav, and their remains were taken to the government hospital in Budhar for post-mortem examination.
The state Congress unit president, Jeetu Patwari, took to social media to criticize the government for its inaction, suggesting it has emboldened the mafia. He expressed his outrage in Hindi via his X handle regarding the incident.
Reports indicate that the deceased couple leaves behind five young children, and there are concerns that additional laborers could be trapped under the rubble, with allegations that mine owners attempted to cover up the incident.
The situation escalated when villagers protested, leading to the arrival of the Collector and Superintendent of Police at the scene. The bodies were recovered with the assistance of an earthmoving machine, which worked late into the night.
Despite this, police sources assured IANS that no other individuals are trapped, and a thorough investigation is currently in progress.
