Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, March 3: Four coal miners have died reportedly after getting trapped in an illegal coal mine area at Yonglok village bordering Assam and Nagaland in Longleng district on Sat. March 3.
According to the chairman of Yonglok village council, the unfortunate incident occurred when five miners hailing from Assam returned to the illegal coal mine area to retrieve their tools which they had left after suspending mining work.
Following a government order to stop the illegal coal mining activities in the state some months ago, the chairman told Eastern Mirror, the miners stationed at the village had returned to their native place, and after having suspended mining activities. But five of them returned on Saturday to collect their 'tools.'
The incident was said to have occurred because of a mudslide during which the four miners got trapped. The fifth miner survived and alerted the villagers, it was informed.
According to the chairman, the bodies were retrieved in the evening by villagers and other miners on Saturday evening. The bodies were handed over to their families on Sunday after necessary formalities by the police.
The police could not be reached for more information. Three of the miners have been identified as a Krishna Gogoi, a Tutu Neog and one Dhaneswar; the fourth is yet to be identified.
