Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Operation in flooded mine not abandoned: Meghalaya Govt to SC

By Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG, Jan 21 - The Meghalaya Government today informed the Supreme Court that it has �not abandoned� the rescue operation in the flooded mine at Ksan although the Indian Navy has suspended its activities for the moment due to some difficulties.

�The rescue operation has not been abandoned. We have received a fresh order to continue the operation,� District Public Relations Officer of East Jaintia Hills R Susngi said.

He added that the Indian Navy has suspended its operation to retrieve a body that was detected in the rat-hole mine a few days ago. A remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) managed to drag the body closer to the opening of the rat hole.

�Since the body is highly decomposed, it is getting disintegrated while being pulled by the ROV. So that is the problem. The Indian Navy suspended its operations yesterday and today, but they would continue again,� he said.

The district administration had convened a meeting with the trapped miners� families some time back to seek their opinion on retrieving the body. The families have requested the authorities to retrieve the body, come what may.

Susngi said that as the water has not receded in the mine and Navy divers are unable to get in, retrieving the body with the ROV seems the only option. �We will have to see tomorrow,� he said.

Next Story