A tragic and freak accident at a coal mining site in Chhattisgarh's Korba district has led to massive protests and highlighted critical safety concerns. A 60-year-old farmer lost his life after being struck on the head by a rock that flew off during heavy blasting operations.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim has been identified as Lakhan Lal Patel, a resident of Reki village. The incident occurred near the Dipka open-cast mine operated by the South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) in the Hardibazar region. According to police and family accounts, Patel was walking home from a relative's place on a road close to the mining site when the fatal blast occurred.
A rock propelled by the force of the explosion hit him directly on the head. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The sudden and violent nature of his death immediately ignited anger among local residents.
Villagers' Fury and Immediate Aftermath
Enraged by the incident, residents from Reki and nearby villages carried the farmer's mortal remains to the mining area and staged a vigorous protest. They placed the corpse on the road, blocking all movement and demanding accountability.
Korba SP Siddharth Tiwari confirmed that police and district administration officials, including a busload of personnel, rushed to the site as tensions escalated. The situation was brought under control after police mediated talks between the angry villagers and mining officials.
Anil Kumar, the son of the deceased farmer, recounted the horrifying moment to the media, emphasizing the preventable nature of the accident.
Official Response and Long-Standing Grievances
Police have registered an FIR against the miners who carried out the blast, booking them under charges including culpable homicide. While SECL officials insisted that standard protocol was followed during the operation, the director general of mine safety has ordered an investigation into the incident.
This tragedy has brought to the forefront persistent complaints from villagers and local representatives. For years, they have warned about the dangers of blasting so close to inhabited areas. They cite cracks in houses, drying borewells, and falling debris as routine 'collateral damage' that has been largely ignored.
SECL officials acknowledged the presence of villages near the mine boundary and noted that locals are often seen moving around, which poses a risk. The district administration has stated that compensation cheques for the kin of the deceased will be released soon.
The incident in Korba's coal belt underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety zones and protocols around mining operations, especially those adjacent to human settlements, to prevent such needless loss of life.
