SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 30: Carbon monoxide gas emission in Kenduadih Basti of Putki Balihari Colliery under Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) claimed its third victim on Tuesday morning.
Surendra Nath Singh (46) of Rajput Basti was found unconscious in his room. According to his younger brother, Lok Nath Singh, Surendra Nath was sleeping alone and was discovered senseless in the morning. He was immediately taken to Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH), where doctors declared him brought dead.
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Cause of Death Pending Post-Mortem
Dr. Avinav Kumar of SNMMCH stated that the exact cause of death can only be confirmed after the post-mortem report.
Putki Circle Officer Vikash Anand told reporters that it is not yet clear whether Surendra Nath Singh died due to poisonous gas or any other reason. The final determination will be made after examining the post-mortem findings.
Former Jharia MLA Sanjiv Singh, husband of the current MLA Ragni Singh, visited SNMMCH and said that Surendra Nath Singh was in normal health on Monday evening when they met.
Sanjiv Singh added that carbon monoxide emission from the closed colliery appears to have claimed his life. Surendra Nath was also a member of the Janta Mazdoor Sangh (JMS) led by Sanjiv Singh.
Ongoing Gas Emission Crisis
The carbon monoxide emission from the closed BCCL colliery has persisted since December 3. So far, two women have died, and over a hundred residents have fallen ill.
On the night of December 28, a 14-year-old girl, Asha Kumari, daughter of Anand Singh, reportedly fell unconscious due to gas exposure in Kenduadih 10 Basti and was admitted to Kustore Regional Hospital, set up specifically for victims of the gas leak.
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Authorities Struggle to Contain the Gas
Efforts to control the gas emission are ongoing, with teams from IIT ISM, CIMFR, the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Ranchi, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) engaged in containment operations.
However, a permanent solution has yet to be achieved, leaving residents vulnerable to the continuing emission.
