Gujarat Illegal Coal Mine: Three laborers died of asphyxiation inside an illegal coal mine in Surendranagar district of Gujarat on Saturday. This is the fourth such incident reported this year, bringing the total number of fatalities to 10. These workers dug for low-grade coal to fuel factories in the state and elsewhere.
Victims Identified in Gujarat Illegal Coal Mine:
The deceased have been identified as Lakshman Dabhi, 35, Khodabhai Makwana, 32, and Viram Keraliya, 35. According to officials, they were working in a mine near Bhet village in Thangadh taluka without helmets, masks, or any other safety equipment.
The police have reported a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against four individuals but have yet to make any arrests. Among the accused are Kalpesh Parmar, a BJP taluka panchayat member, and Khimji Saradiya, whose wife is a district panchayat member of the BJP. The first information report (FIR) stated that the accused failed to provide essential safety gear to the laborers, leading to their deaths from inhaling toxic gas in the mine.
Previous Incidents and Safety Concerns on Gujarat Illegal Coal Mine:
In February, three workers died after inhaling toxic gas following a blast triggered by gelatin sticks during an illegal mining operation in Devpara village. In January, three laborers died due to unstable soil conditions, and one laborer died last month.
Surendranagar District Collector K.C. Sampat acknowledged the recurring incidents of worker deaths. “We had launched a special movement against such mining operations and closed as many as 2,100 mines, burying the mining wells completely. But it seems some have been reopened,” Mr. Sampat told The Hindu. He emphasized that the local administration takes the issue seriously, highlighting concerns over the unscientific methods used for mining.
Political Involvement and Demands for Action:
Revenue and police officials in the district have been silent about the involvement of local politicians but privately admit to a nexus between mining operators and local politicians. Gujarat Congress spokesman Manish Doshi commented on the frequent incidents of deaths in illegal mining operations involving local politicians. AAP leaders held a press conference in Surendranagar, demanding strict action against those responsible for running illegal mines.
Sources revealed that unregulated coal mines have become death traps for impoverished workers, who are paid ₹500-₹700 a day to work in pits 80 to 100 feet deep, using gelatin sticks for blasting, which is completely illegal. Local officials noted the lack of safety measures, with workers not being provided helmets, gloves, or protective clothing.
Calls for Government Intervention:
The AAP leaders claimed that 18 to 20 people had died in the past six months, with only a few incidents reported in the media. “Around 20 laborers have died in illegal mines in the past six months, yet the government has hardly taken any prompt action,” said AAP leader Vikram Dave. Along with local Congress worker Vipul Makwana, he demanded action against mining lease owners and those mining illegally on government lands.
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