Coal mine caves in at Barjora; 3 killed, 1 missing

Kolkata: Three persons were killed and another went missing after a portion of a coal mine caved in while extracting coal illegally at Barjora in Bankura. The incident happened on Thursday morning.

According to locals, a private company used to extract coal from a mine located at Gutgaria Panchayat in Barjora. Approximately three years ago, the mine was leased out to another company. But due to some dispute, extraction of coal was suspended till date.

However, despite that the mine was still being guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

It is alleged that some people often go down to the mine avoiding CISF vigil, to extract coal and sell it to the market illegally.

Sources informed that on the wee hours of Thursday, six persons including three women went down to the mine. While they were extracting coal, the walls caved in without warning.

Hearing loud sounds, locals rushed to the spot and heard someone screaming for help. Some locals risked their lives to go down and rescued two injured persons.

They have been admitted at Bankura Medical College and Hospital.

Later, police arrived and recovered three bodies from the mine.

According to the statement of the injured persons, another woman was also there with them. Till Thursday evening, she could not be traced. The search operation had to be called off after the area became dark.

Locals alleged that CISF personnel do not perform their duties accordingly.

Thus, the people connected with illegal coal trade get the chance to extract coal from the mine. The search operation

will start again from Friday morning, to find the missing woman.