Suspected inhalation of toxic gas killed three labourers in an illegal rat-hole coal mine in eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district
A rat-hole mine is a deep vertical shaft with several horizontal tunnels big enough to let a slightly-built person to crouch and work with a pickaxe
“Many illegal rat-hole coal mines have come up in Ledo and Margherita areas of Tinsukia district. Coal smugglers run the operation in a very organised manner with patronage from certain quarters,” a local police officer said.
Rat-hole coal mine mishaps have virtually been unheard of in Assam unlike in Meghalaya where at least 30 people have died in mishaps since December 18. The either drowned due to sudden submergence of the mines or were buried after the mines collapsed on them.
The National Green Tribunal had banned rat-hole coal mining in April 2014.
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