Two labourers were killed when a stone mine caved in at Paharpur village under Domchanch police station, around 10 km from the district headquarters Koderma on Friday. A total of 19 laborers were trapped in the stone mines of which 17 have been taken out safely. The mine was said to be taken on lease and being operated by a private contractor.
“Two persons along with their tractors were caved in today’s accident who have been identified as Raju Mehta and Mukesh Yadav,” said Koderma SP Hemant Toppo. Total of 21labourers were caved in the mine of which 19 of them have been pulled out. Body of the two laborers along with two tractors are yet to be recovered, said the SP. Debris are being cleared which is blocking the way inside the mine, he added. Police suspect negligence by the contactor being the prime factor which led to the accident. “Prima-facie, it seems to be the outcome of sheer negligence on part of contractor of the mine who did not take safety precautions despite being the rainy season. If mining activity is being done under the ground, safety norms of DGMS must be followed,” the SP said.
According to the sources, the mines which are taken on lease by the private contractors do not follow the specified safety norms and are sometimes dug up-to 400-500 feet. These mines which hardly follow the safety measures become vulnerable to such accidents as the soil around these mines dampens due to heavy rain. Meanwhile, expressing concern over the accident district administration has ordered a probe into the matter and is expected to get the report by Saturday. “Although, the probe has been initiated in the matter, the matter of concern here is the Mining Safety Regulation (MSR) is being violated here extensively. No action is being taken by the Mine Safety Officers,” said Koderma DC Uma Shakar Singh. It will take at least24-30 hours to clear the debris if it is done on war footage, the DC said.
The DC has also asked the Mining Director and Deputy Director to prepare a check list of the mines which are operative in the area. “Those mines which will be found not following the MSR, their lease will be cancelled,” said the DC. For the laborers who were trapped inside the mines, it was like a bomb explosion followed by upsurge of smoke all around inside the mines. “All of a sudden, it was like a bomb exploded inside the mines and the area was filled with smoke and dust. The two laborers who came underneath the tractors two tractors, used to pull stones which are cut by the laborers are still inside the mines,” a labor was quoted as saying.