Sribhumi (Assam), 14 February (HS): In a startling turn of events, a coal mine worker believed to have died in a blast in Meghalaya returned home alive days after his last rites had already been performed. The incident has left authorities scrambling to determine whose body was handed over to the family and cremated in his name.

Shyambabu Sinha, a resident of Leterpar village under Ratabari Police Station in Sribhumi district, was presumed dead following a dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine in Thangskhu area of East Jaintia Hills district on February 5. Based on inputs received after the blast, his family identified a body as Sinha’s and performed his funeral according to religious customs.

However, while post-funeral rituals were still underway, Sinha reportedly knocked on the door of his Ratabari home, leaving relatives and villagers stunned. Initial disbelief soon gave way to relief and celebration as it was confirmed that he was indeed alive.

Sinha had reportedly travelled to Meghalaya about a month ago in search of work and was employed as a labourer at a coal mine in the Chutunga area of Thangskhu. On February 5, a powerful explosion ripped through the mine, trapping over 30 workers. Several were killed and many others injured. Sinha had been missing since the incident, and after days without contact, the family assumed he had perished in the blast.

The dramatic return has now raised serious questions over the identity of the body that was cremated in his name. Authorities are under pressure to determine how the alleged misidentification occurred and to establish the identity of the actual victim.

The explosion occurred nearly a decade after the National Green Tribunal imposed a ban on rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014, citing severe environmental damage and grave safety risks, including lack of ventilation and structural safeguards.

Following the incident, Meghalaya Police constituted a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the blast and the circumstances under which mining operations continued despite the ban. Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang announced the formation of the SIT, stressing the need for a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation.

The team, led by Deputy Inspector General Vivekananda S Rathore, has been tasked with ascertaining the cause of the blast, identifying violations of court and tribunal directives, and completing the probe within a stipulated timeframe.

Search and rescue operations concluded on February 9 after assessment teams determined that no one remained trapped underground. Four arrests have been made so far in connection with the case. Authorities have also seized several thousand metric tonnes of illegally extracted coal, dismantled labour camps and intensified raids in coal-bearing areas.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has announced a judicial inquiry commission to fix responsibility for the tragedy.

While Sinha’s unexpected return has brought immense relief to his family and village, it has simultaneously exposed glaring lapses in identification procedures and reignited concerns over the continued operation of banned rat-hole mining in the region.--------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash