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Meghalaya authorities express ‘inability’ to evacuate trapped miners
Shillong, Jan 18 (IANS) District authorities on Friday visited the families of three of the 15 miners who are trapped, now for over a month, inside an illegal flooded coal mine in Meghalaya and expressed their “inability” to evacuate them.
Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills district, F.M. Dopth broke the news to Jostina Dkhar, the mother of Dimonme and Melambok, and Rita Dkhar, the mother of Shalabas when he visited them this evening at Lumthari village, about 3km before reaching the tragedy site at Ksan village.
“The Deputy Commissioner met my sisters this evening at their residences at Lumthari village and expressed the authorities’ inability to evacuate my nephews who are trapped inside the coal mine,” Pressmeky Dkhar, the uncle of the two brothers, told IANS over phone.
“The DC did not say whether they are dead or alive but asked my sisters to consult the clan members and inform him about the decision,” Dkhar said.
The three cousins from Lumthari were among the 15 trapped miners – seven from villages under Rajabala constituency in West Garo Hills, and five from neighbouring Assam.
Dkhar reiterated that the families of the trapped miners want the body to be taken out at any cost from the flooded mine for a decent burial.
“We only want the bodies of Dimonme, Melambok and Shalabas to be taken out from the mine so that we can give them a decent burial according to our religious rites,” Dkhar said.
The families of the trapped miners whom IANS spoke to on Thursday had said they want the “dead bodies” of the miners to be taken out as per the Supreme Court order.
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices A.K. Sikri and S. Abdul Nazeer had expressed dissatisfaction with the rescue operation and ordered : “No matter whether they (trapped persons) are all dead, some alive, a few dead or all alive, they should have been taken out by now. We pray to God that they all are alive.”
On Wednesday, the Indian Navy divers detected a dead body inside the coal mine through an underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle).
The Naval team had said the body will be extracted under the supervision of doctors. However, it is not known if the body was retrieved on Friday.
Senior medical officials from the state’s health and family welfare and Director General of Police R Chandranathan who visited the tragedy site were tightlipped.
The Meghalaya government has roped in several Central agencies including a team from Hyderabad-based Natonal Geophyscial Research Institute and Chennai-based Plnays Technologies in the rescue operation.
Coal India Limited, Odisha firefighters, Kirloskar Brothers Limited are dewatering the abandoned coal mine shafts and the main shaft where the miners are trapped.
Coal mine accidents have been rampant in the mountainous state even after the National Green Tribubal imposed an interim ban on ‘rat hole’ mining in April 2014.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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