6 from Barak Valley among those killed in Meghalaya mine blast

Silchar: At least six labourers from Assam’s Barak Valley were among those killed after a massive explosion ripped through an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday.

All six victims were residents of Cachar district, mostly from the Katigorah area, who had migrated to Meghalaya in search of work amid acute unemployment back home.Among the deceased were two brothers — Anwar Hussain and Dilwar Hussain of Sarishakuri village under Katigorah circle — whose deaths have devastated their family and neighbours. The other victims were identified as Purunjay Vaishnav, Nikunj Vaishnav, Faruk Ahmed and Krishna Vaishnav, all from Katigorah circle of Cachar.Five injured labourers from Cachar — Saidur Rahman, Ramchandra Vaishnav, Niman Uddin, Krishnadhan Vaishnav and Bishnudhan Vaishnav — were shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, where doctors said two of them remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment in the ICU. Another injured worker, Jamil Ahmed Choudhury of Dinathpur village in Hailakandi district, is undergoing treatment at NEIGRIHMS in Shillong.

As of Friday evening, none of the bodies had been handed over to the families as autopsies were yet to be completed, delaying the return of the bodies to their native villages. The prolonged wait has deepened the anguish of families eager to perform last rites.Fourteen ambulances from the Cachar district administration have been stationed at Khliehriat in Meghalaya to transport the bodies once the formalities are completed.Relatives said the victims had little choice but to take up hazardous work in illegal coal mines due to the absence of viable livelihood options in the Barak Valley. “They were aware of the risks, but hunger and debt leave no alternatives,” a family member said.Following the tragedy, North Karimganj MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha visited the homes of the deceased and conveyed condolences on behalf of the chief minister, assuring families of govt support.

Katlicherra MLA Sujam Uddin Laskar urged the district administration to ensure adequate medical care and financial assistance for the injured and met officials to press for immediate relief. He also visited Dinathpur village to meet the family of Jamil Ahmed Choudhury, the sole breadwinner for his wife and five minor children.The Cachar district administration has issued helpline numbers and activated its control room, stating that search and rescue operations are continuing and the situation is being closely monitored. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force have also been mobilised, with additional units dispatched from Guwahati.However, sources said officers sent by the Assam govt could not reach the accident site due to the lack of adequate transport and security arrangements and are currently coordinating from Khliehriat hospital.