Not satisfied with rescue ops; dead or alive, take them out: SC to Meghalaya
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with the rescue operations of 15 miners who are trapped in an illegal flooded coal mine in East Jaintia Hills since December 13, 2018. The court said that "prompt, immediate and effective" operation was required.
The top court questioned the state government about the steps taken to rescue the miners.
The court said, “We're not satisfied with rescue operations. No matter whether they are all dead, some alive, few dead or all alive, they should be taken out. We pray to God they are alive.”
"For people who are trapped there, every minute counts," the bench said.
Meghalaya government earlier told the court that the state is taking steps to rescue the trapped miners. 72 NDRF personnel, 14 Navy personnel and Coal India personnel are working since December 14.
Supreme Court asked, “Then, why are they not successful?”
The Supreme Court was hearing a petition requesting for urgent steps to rescue miners who have been trapped inside the mine.
The operation to rescue 15 people, trapped in a 320-foot-deep illegal "rat-hole" mine has made little progress since it began.
Multiple teams, from the NDRF, Navy and firefighters, are on the ground, trying to make reach the miners.
(With PTI inputs)
