Shillong: Meghalaya Police have registered a case against the owner and contractor of a premises in Lapalang, where five men died after inhaling carbon monoxide inside a narrow well, as investigators probe whether negligence led to the tragedy.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the case has been registered under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence, along with relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Syiem said the owner of the premises, K Hinge, and the contractor, M Beena, have been issued notices under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and summoned for questioning.
“The owner of the premises, K Hinge, and the contractor, M Beena, were summoned today under the BNSS. They have been examined and their statements have been recorded. They have not been arrested, but notices have been issued,” Syiem said.
He said the investigation is ongoing and police are awaiting reports from various government departments before deciding on the next course of action.
“We are waiting for opinions from departments such as Pollution Control and Water Resources to determine whether there was any negligence on the part of the owner and the contractor. These departments have already visited the site, and once we receive their reports, we will decide how to proceed with the case,” he added.
The tragedy occurred on Friday evening at Lapalang in Shillong, where three labourers—Pynskhemlang Mawthoh, Rapborlang Nongspung and Elka Shadap—became trapped at the bottom of a well. Sunil Thakuri (34) and his brother, Umesh Thakuri (30), died while attempting to rescue them, unaware that the confined space had filled with lethal carbon monoxide.
Preliminary findings indicate that the well was approximately 35 feet deep and only three feet wide, creating a confined space where carbon monoxide accumulated after a diesel pump was reportedly used inside.
The Thakuri brothers, residents of Nongrah, were the sole breadwinners for their family. Sunil, a widower, is survived by two young children, his elderly parents and his younger brother.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said those found responsible for violating safety rules would face legal action.
“Action will be taken against those responsible. There were rules, and certain activities were prohibited. Anyone violating those rules is breaking the law, and appropriate action will be taken against them,” the Chief Minister said.
Acknowledging the financial hardship faced by the victims’ families, Sangma said the government is exploring ways to provide assistance despite the absence of any specific provision under disaster-relief norms for such accidents.
“I have received representations from various NPP units requesting support for the families. Since all the victims belonged to economically weaker sections of society, we are examining ways to provide assistance. The challenge is that the Disaster Management framework has no provision for compensation in accidents of this nature, but we will examine the matter and take a decision,” he said.
Also Read: The untold true story behind Manipur’s acclaimed film Oneness