C'garh coal mine deaths: Two SECL officials suspended

Two officials of the South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) have been suspended in connection with the death of its three employees at an underground coal mine of the company in Korba district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday.

Senior Manager Radhelal Sinha and Deputy Manager (mining) Omprakash Singh were suspended on Tuesday for alleged negligence, SECL Area General Manager (Korba) J P Dwivedi said on Wednesday.

"The action was taken based on the probe report of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) into the incident that took place at Bagdewa mines of the SECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd," he said.

Both the officials were posted at Bagdewa mines located under Bakimongra police station area, around 250 kms from the state capital Raipur.

Mining supervisor Laxmikant Prasad (42), workers Ramadhar (35) and Ajay (33), were killed on December 16 evening after they allegedly entered into a non-functional tunnel, where the oxygen level was very low.

The probe into the incident by the DGMS pointed negligence on the part of Sinha and Singh. After the report was submitted to the SECL, action was taken against the duo, Dwivedi said.

Meanwhile, local police officials said investigation into the accident was underway and those found guilty would be booked soon.

Following the incident, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had announced a compensation of Rs 75,000 to the kin of each deceased.