Unverified reports from Thangskai village in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills have claimed that three coal labourers were buried alive due to the collapse of a rat-hole mine. Local sources suggest that the victims’ bodies were allegedly removed discreetly at night to prevent public awareness. The police have also received similar information and conducted an inquiry at the site, engaging with headmen, local residents, and labourers; however, no one confirmed that the incident took place. The district police confirmed the absence of any missing person reports or death notifications filed at local stations. Investigators have searched nearby forested areas and documented the rumors in a General Diary (GD) entry to record their verification process. Despite ongoing checks, no evidence supporting the claims of a mine collapse has been found.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that illegal and abandoned rat-hole coal mines, which pose substantial risks to workers, are still prevalent in East Jaintia Hills, despite a statewide ban that was imposed in 2014. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution, emphasizing that until verified evidence is presented, the claims regarding the mine collapse remain unsubstantiated.
