RAJKOT: Three men died due to asphyxiation while digging in an illegal coal mine at Bhet village of Muli taluka in Surendranagar district.
Police said the incident occurred on Saturday evening after a toxic gas leak during mining in about a 100-foot deep pit on govt wasteland in Bhet village. None of the workers were wearing safety gear like helmets or oxygen masks, said police on Sunday.
The deceased were identified as Laxman Koli (35), Viram Koli (35), and Khoda Koli (32). They were employed by illegal miners for a daily wage of Rs 700. They were all residents of Muli taluka.
This incident was not an isolated one. At least 11 persons have died while working in illegal coal mines in Muli and Sayla talukas of Surendranagar district since Jan this year.
Savsi Koli, the father of one of the deceased, Laxman Koli, filed a complaint at Muli police station against Jasa Keraliya, Janak Aniyariya, Khimji Sardiya, and Kalpesh Parmar for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The complaint stated that Laxman and others had been working in the coal mine for the past 15 days without any safety equipment. Though the government had closed down the mine, the accused continued to dig the mine and sell the coal for their financial gain, the complaint alleged.
According to the complaint, Laxman had left for work on Saturday morning. At about 6pm, Savsi received a message that there was a gas leakage in the mine and three persons , including Laxman, were affected. The affected persons were rushed to a hospital but they were declared dead on arrival.
Sources revealed that Khimji Sardiya is the husband of a Surendranagar district panchayat member and Kalpesh Parmar is the chairman of the executive committee of Muli taluka panchayat.
Investigation officer D D Chudasama stated that teams have been formed to search for the accused and collect necessary evidence.
Surendranagar district collector Keyur Sampat confirmed the death of three people. “In the past 1.5 years, 2,100 pits dug for illegal coal mining on govt land have been closed. The district administration continuously informs villagers about this issue and conducts regular checks,” Sampat told TOI.
“The district police chief and the administration have also reported to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) about the steps taken to prevent workers’ deaths during illegal mining. Efforts are being made to take strict action against those involved in illegal mining, and in the future, actions will also be taken against village sarpanches and talatis to prevent such activities,” he added.
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