Rescue of Meghalaya Miners: Supreme Court asks for Status Report

The Supreme Court today directed the Centre and the State of Meghalaya to file a status report in the case concerning the rescue of the miners trapped in a coalmine in Meghalaya..The Bench of Justices AK Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer also stated that the status report must also address the issues raised by the petitioner regarding steps that were not taken by the authorities..After the Court yesterday sought Centre’s reply on the steps taken to rescue the miners, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the Court today of the action taken..Mehta informed the Court that a meeting was held which was attended by the Joint Secretaries of Coal, Home, and Defence, among other attendees. There is complete coordination among all the agencies working in the rescue operation, the Court was told..As regards the obstacles in the way of rescue operations, Mehta told the Court that on account of the said mines being illegal, there is no blueprint of the mine available..In the absence of a blueprint of the same, it is nearly impossible to trace the miners who are trapped. In addition, the placement of the mine is adjacent to a river which makes it difficult to pump the water out of the mine..Mehta also told the Court that unlike in the case of Thai caves, the water in these mines is murky which makes it difficult for divers to navigate. The case in Thailand was of persons trapped in a cave which had air pockets..Owing to this, the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRC) divers are unable to go beyond a point which led to divers from the Navy being called for the operation..On the question of Kirloskar pumps that was raised yesterday, Mehta told the Court that despite attempts made to suck the water out of the mine, the water level is not receding due to simultaneous seepage from the river..Justice Sikri remarked that it appears that the authorities are making all efforts to rescue the trapped miners..However, Senior Advocate Anand Grover, appearing for the petitioner pointed out to the Court that several steps and deployments made by the authorities were delayed in response..Grover also submitted reports published in the Shillong Times that stated that while pumps and generators are brought in at the site, several of them are not functioning. Mehta responded to this by pointing out technical difficulties in the same..At this point, Justice Sikri observed that this is not adversarial litigation and the Centre is replying to the issues raised by the Petitioner..“This is not adversarial. They are replying to what you (Petitioner) are saying. The joint effort of all of us is that if these persons are alive they should be brought out“, Justice Sikri said..After taking note of all the submissions made by the Centre and the recommendations made by the Petitioner, the Court has directed the Respondents to file a status and progress report in the matter by Monday, January 7..This status report is also required to contain Centre’s response on the issues and concerns raised by the Petitioner..The matter will be heard next on January 7.