Army divers from the elite 21 Para Special Forces recovered the body of a miner from the flooded coal mine in Umrangso of the Dima Hasao district early on Wednesday.
According to the state government, nine miners have been trapped since January 6 after an illegal rat-hole mining site was inundated by underground water.
The recovery follows nearly 48 hours of tireless efforts by a multi-agency team battling adverse conditions and the inherent dangers of the narrow, waterlogged mine shafts.
Confirming the development on social media, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote: “21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family.”
Massive dewatering operations are going on with pumps from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed to lower the water level inside the mine. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has provided specialized equipment to aid the rescue, though bad weather has delayed its aerial transport via MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhirgram.
State Mines Minister Kaushik Rai, overseeing the operation, acknowledged the challenges faced by rescue teams. “Engineers are working in extremely hazardous conditions,” he said, explaining that the miners were trapped when they struck an underground water source, flooding the mine instantly.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the pervasive illegal mining in Assam, particularly in the coal-rich region of Dima Hasao. Rat-hole mining, which involves digging narrow, vertical shafts to extract coal, was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 due to its hazardous and environmentally destructive nature. However, illegal operations have continued, often fueled by local demand and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Police have arrested Punish Nunisa, a suspect linked to the illegal mine, and investigations are underway to identify others involved. More arrests are expected in the coming days.
The rescue operation has mobilised significant resources and personnel from across India. Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy has instructed Coal India Limited to provide additional assistance, while the Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, and Air Force have installed lighting systems to ensure round-the-clock rescue efforts.
Chief Minister Sarma has called for stringent action against those responsible for the illegal mining operation.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, castigating the state government for the unfortunate incident, stated, “It is shocking that despite the 2014 NGT ban, rat-hole mining remains rampant in Assam, endangering lives and the environment.”
Rat-hole mining has long been a contentious issue in northeastern states like Assam and Meghalaya. Despite multiple bans and crackdowns, weak enforcement and high demand for coal have perpetuated the practice.