2 Bodies Spotted By Navy Divers In Meghalaya Mine, Says Chief Minister

Meghalaya: The owner of the coal mine has been arrested and charged for violation of the National Green Tribunal's order banning unscientific mining and transportation of coal.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said that divers of Indian Navy, who are engaged in search and rescue operation at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district, have spotted two bodies. At least five miners were trapped inside the coal mine in Sutnga Elaka since May 30. The mine was flooded after a dynamite explosion. "We have received a preliminary report that they have spotted two bodies but it is yet to be confirmed in writing," Mr Sangma said on Tuesday. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and various state agencies too were involved in the operations and had waited for the water level to come down to about 10 meters in the 152-metre deep pit.