THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ramgarh, July 5: A fatal mine collapse in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district early Saturday morning has once again exposed the dangers of unchecked illegal coal mining and alleged lapses by mining authorities.
Four villagers from Mahua Tungri were killed in the Karma project area of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) when a section of an abandoned mine gave way during illegal excavation.
The tragedy has triggered public outrage and strong criticism of both local administration and CCL. Villagers had reportedly entered the leasehold area in Kuju to extract coal illegally when the mine wall collapsed, trapping four people under debris.
Also Read- Jharkhand News: ED files prosecution complaint against four in ₹730 crore GST scam
Three bodies were retrieved and taken away by locals before officials could reach, while one remained on-site, used by protesters to block the area and demand compensation and accountability.
Deputy Commissioner Faiyaz Aq Ahmad Mumtaz, who inspected the site shortly after the incident, vowed strict action against those responsible.
He revealed that CCL had previously been instructed to post CISF personnel for security at the mines — a directive that, according to the DC, went unheeded.
“Despite warnings issued last month in the district-level mining task force meeting, illegal mining has continued unabated,” he said, announcing that show-cause notices would be issued to the General Manager and other CCL officials.
Also Read- Jharkhand News: HURL Sindri, Dhanbad municipality sign MoU for LED streetlighting project
Emergency services were dispatched, and rescue operations launched, but the collapse had already taken a grim toll. The administration has assured a high-level inquiry to determine accountability and prevent further tragedies in Jharkhand’s coal belt.
