NHRC issues notice to Dhanbad authorities over Ramkanali Mine tragedy
SUBHASH MISHRA Dhanbad, Sept 16: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, has taken cognizance of alleged violations of safety regulations…
File photo of NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo who had inspected Katras colliery area along with CWC chairman Uttam Mukherjee
SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 16: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, has taken cognizance of alleged violations of safety regulations by an outsourced company in the Ramkanali mines under the Baghmara block, Dhanbad.
Notices have been issued to the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) regarding the mining incident.
The action follows a complaint filed by social activist Uttam Mukherjee, a resident of Rajwari Road, Katras Bazar, Dhanbad, who highlighted serious safety lapses in the mines.
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Details of the Incident
On September 5, 2025, a major incident occurred in the Ramkanali colliery area of BCCL, resulting in the death of eight outsourced workers.
Two incidents reportedly took place on the same day: in the first, several houses in the colliery area collapsed due to subsidence; in the second, a heavy vehicle carrying contract workers in the open-cast mine plunged about 300 feet into water.
According to the complaint, the mishap was a result of illegal coal mining and blatant violation of safety norms by an outsourced company. Roads were reportedly unsafe, blasting operations were carried out carelessly, and proper safety measures were ignored.
Allegations and Human Rights Concerns
The complainant further alleged that illegal mining by coal mafias continues in the area, with child labour reportedly being used. Such negligence, Mukherjee contended, has put countless lives at risk and constitutes a violation of human rights.
The NHRC noted that the allegations in the complaint prima facie indicate serious human rights violations against the victims of the tragedy.
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NHRC Orders Action and Report Submission
A Bench of the NHRC, presided over by Priyank Kanoongo, Member, has taken cognizance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The Commission has directed the DC, SSP, and CMD of BCCL, Dhanbad, to investigate the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report within seven days for the Commission’s review.
