SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 25: A joint team comprising the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Mines Rescue Wing of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) has commenced operations to trace individuals allegedly trapped inside the closed underground mines of Block-2.
The operation began on Thursday evening at 6:00 PM and continued until 11:30 PM. It resumed today at 11:30 AM.
Officials supervising the rescue include Block-2 General Manager G.C. Saha, NDRF Assistant Commandant Santosh Kumar, Inspector Ravishankar, Circle Officer, and Baghmara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ajit Kumar.
Action Triggered by MP’s Demand
Baghmara Police Station in-charge Ajit Kumar informed the media that the operation was launched following a demand from local MP Chandra Prakash Choudhary.
The MP identified three suspected spots where people might be trapped. Rescue work has begun at the first location and will continue at the other two.
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The operation involves a 35-member NDRF team and 15 personnel from the BCCL rescue wing. While the NDRF team surveyed the area in the morning, the actual rescue efforts started in the evening after clearance from the district administration.
Background of the Incident
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening (July 22) when the roof of a closed underground mine in Block-2 collapsed during illegal mining. Several hired workers linked to a coal theft syndicate are suspected to be trapped.
Initially, BCCL authorities and Dhanbad district police dismissed the reports as rumours. However, Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Choudhary, who represents the area, along with Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy, visited the site and asserted that multiple people were trapped.
Political Pressure and Operational Challenges
The MP staged a sit-in (dharna) at Baghmara Police Station demanding a rescue operation and also lodged a written complaint. The protest was called off after Baghmara SDPO Purushotam Singh assured that rescue efforts would begin.
An NDRF team member stated that the operation is progressing slowly due to a shortage of essential equipment such as JCB machines and adequate lighting.
