In a distressing incident on Monday, at least nine labourers were reported trapped inside a coal mine in the Umrangshu locality of Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The state administration, in coordination with police and rescue teams, has launched a major operation to rescue the trapped individuals.
While the exact number of labourers trapped remains unclear, nine have been identified so far. The victims include Ganga Bahadur Shreth, a Nepali national, Hussain Ali and Jakir Hussain from West Bengal, and seven others from different parts of Assam—Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khusi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took swift action by seeking assistance from the Army to bolster the rescue operations. In a post on X, he stated:
“We have requested the Army’s assistance in the ongoing rescue operation. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are also on their way to the incident site to aid in the efforts.”
To ensure effective on-ground coordination, CM Sarma has deployed Dima Hasao District Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to the site. Additionally, Food and Civil Supply Minister Kaushik Rai is also rushing to the location to oversee the situation.
The Chief Minister, currently in Mumbai on a three-day visit to attract industrial investments to Assam, expressed his concern over the incident. Sharing his thoughts on X, he said:
“Distressing news from Umrangshu, where labourers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are yet unknown. The DC, SP, and my colleague, Kaushik Rai, are rushing to the site. Praying to God for everyone’s safety.”
Meanwhile, CM Sarma is expected to return to Assam on Tuesday. During his Mumbai visit, he engaged with several top industrialists, promoting Assam as a favourable destination for investment. On Monday, he participated in a roadshow aimed at highlighting the state’s potential for industrial growth.
The situation at the mine remains critical, with rescue teams working against time to locate and extricate the trapped labourers. Efforts by SDRF, NDRF, and the Army are expected to intensify in the coming hours as authorities prioritize the safety of those inside. Further updates on the rescue operation are awaited.
List of Laborers Trapped in Mine (Umrangsu)
1.Ganga Bahadur Shreth (38 years) S/o: Late Man Harbhajan Shreth R/o: Rampur (Dummana-2Bhijpur), PS Thoksila, Dist: Udayapur, Nepal 2.Hussain Ali (30 years) S/o: Alom Uddin R/o: Bagaribari, PS Shyampur, Dist: Darrang, Assam 3.Jakir Hussain (38 years) S/o: Madhu Seikh R/o: 4 No. Sialmari Khuti, PS Dalgaon, Dist: Darrang, Assam 4.Sarpa Barman (46 years) S/o: Radhakanta Barman R/o: Khalisanimari, PS Gossaigaon, Dist: Kokrajhar, Assam 5.Mustafa Seikh (44 years) S/o: Hasen Ali R/o: Bagaribari, PS Dalgaon, Dist: Darrang, Assam 6.Khusi Mohan Rai (57 years) S/o: Lalit Rai R/o: Majergaon, PS Fakirgram, Dist: Kokrajhar, Assam 7.Sanjit Sarkar (35 years) S/o: Krishna Pada Sarkar R/o: Raichenga, Dist: Jalpaiguri, West Bengal 8.Lijan Magar (26 years) S/o: Dal Bahadur Magar R/o: Assam Coal Quarry, PS Umrangso, Dist: Dima Hasao, Assam 9.Sarat Goyary (37 years) S/o: Andul Goyary R/o: Thilapara, Batashipur, PO Panbari, Dist: Sonitpur, Assam
