Meghalaya gives Rs.3 lakh each for eight slain coal miners

The Meghalaya government Tuesday announced compensation of Rs.3 lakh each for the next of kin of eight migrant coal miners killed by unidentified assailants.

"An ex-gratia payment of Rs.3 lakh each has already been handed over to the authorities in Assam, and the same will be given to the next of kin of the eight coal labourers killed," Chinmay P. Gotmare, district magistrate of South Garo Hills, told IANS.

He said coal mine owners had also given Rs.1 lakh each to the next of kin of the victims.

On Sunday night, eight migrant coal miners were killed and three wounded at Garegittim and Nongalbibra areas in South Garo Hills district when a group of unidentified assailants went on the rampage.

Those killed were identified as Babu Ali, Jirhul Islam, Harjit Ali, Fazir Ali, Modon Ali, Moinal Haque, Ismail Ali and Shah Jahan Ali. All of them were from Assam.

Those wounded are Zakir Ali, Mojial Ali and Ahidur Ali.

Meghalaya Home Minister Roshan Warjri said the situation in the insurgency-ravaged districts of Garo Hills was under control.

"Additional security forces have been deployed to maintain law and order in the district," Warjri told IANS.

Chief Secretary W.M.S. Pariat said the security situation in some parts of the Garo Hills region was a matter of concern.

"We are keeping a close watch on the situation in Garo Hills and adequate security forces have been put in place," Pariat said.