Assam: Overnight Rescue Efforts for Miners Trapped in Coal Mine Persist
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Guwahati, January 7 (NationPress) Officials announced that the rescue divers have performed two dives in the coal mine located in Umrangso, within the Dima Hasao district of Assam. The rescue efforts are set to continue throughout the night, with a renewed focus on locating the trapped miners starting Wednesday morning. Additionally, task force members are actively engaged in draining water from the mine.
A senior officer from the Army stated: “The Rescue Task Force, including personnel from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, has attempted two dives into the mine at Umrangso. Engineers from the Indian Army are currently providing support to the civil administration in their efforts to remove water from the mine, as well as ensuring sufficient lighting is available to facilitate nighttime operations. The collaborative rescue mission will persist overnight, with search efforts resuming tomorrow morning to assist the trapped miners,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted that illegal coal mining activities were occurring at the site where the miners became trapped, prompting the registration of a case under relevant sections.
In connection with the illegal mining, police have apprehended one individual. Sarma shared on X, “The police have filed an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, invoking Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, in conjunction with Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the matter. It appears to be an illegal mining operation. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested regarding this case.”
At least nine labourers have been identified as being trapped within the coal mine in the Umrangso area.
Among the nine trapped miners, one is a national from Nepal, one originates from West Bengal, while the rest are from various regions of Assam.
The identified individuals include Ganga Bahadur, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Sheikh, Khusi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary.
