3 killed as roof of coal mine falls in Asansol

Asansol: A coal mine gallery roof collapsed, killing three, at Bhanora West Block patch open cast mine in Asansol on Friday morning.
This is an Eastern Coalfield Ltd (ECL) outsourcing mine. One person allegedly went missing after the cave-in. While villagers blamed the management, the authorities claimed the victims’ bodies were found at their home and not at the colliery.
Coal-lifters delivered the bodies to their families.Locals claimed this move was to avoid a police case. Hundreds of villagers enforced a ceasework at the Bhanora colliery production unit from 9.15am and the agitation was on till last reports came in.
The Bhanora colliery management lodged an FIR against unknown persons at the Asansol North police station. The victims’ family have demanded compensation.
According to sources, some persons went to the coalmine around dawn. Suddenly, the coal gallery roof collapsed and some of these men were trapped. Those who were safe, managed to recover four persons. Three of them were found to be dead and another was injured.
After being informed, police reached the spot and sent the bodies for post-mortem. But the cops allegedly could not trace the injured person.
Moin Ansari, agent of Bhanora colliery, told TOI: “It’s true three persons are dead but their bodies were found in their houses, not in our colliery. On Friday morning, hundreds of villagers suddenly used force to stop our work and it continues till now. We have lodged an FIR.”
Niladri Roy, ECL general manager (technical), told TOI: “We we can’t comment as it is a police matter.” Additional district magistrate of Paschim Bardhaman, Pralay Roy Chowdhury, said: “We have come to know three persons have died.” He refused to say anything further.
The deceased have been identified as Kajol Bouri, Gobindo Moumu and Naran Turi — all residents of Baraboni in Asansol.