Assam Labourer Dies in Illegal Meghalaya Mine as Justice Katakey Seeks Police Report

Overview

• Mosaid Ali, 48, from Jamuna Moudanga in Assam’s Hojai district, collapsed on January 14 inside an illegal coal mine at Umthe and was declared brought dead at Sutnga Community Health Centre.
• Police sealed the site, registered a case, and opened an investigation into the circumstances of the death.
• Justice B. P. Katakey, the High Court–appointed monitor on illegal coal mining, requested a detailed report from the East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police and held a review meeting with district officials.
• Authorities are examining video material to verify whether it relates to the January 14 incident or other coal mining activity, with the monitor expecting a formal report shortly.
• The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission earlier directed the state to submit a detailed inquiry within a month on reported mining-related deaths, as police continue to face unresolved questions from a December 23 blast case.