Local Municipality Provides Financial Aid to Family of Nepali Worker Killed in Indian Coal Mine Explosion

Khotang. Halesi Tuwachung Municipality has provided financial assistance to the family of a local citizen who lost his life in an explosion at a coal mine in Meghalaya, India.

Ratan Rai, 50, of Halesi Tuwachung-5, Durchhim, who had gone to Meghalaya four months ago for employment, died in an explosion while working at the coal mine on Magh 22. The municipality provided Rs 51,000 in assistance to his family. The Mayor, Bimala Rai, informed that the amount was handed over to the deceased's wife, Mina Rai (Tamang), at their home after Ratan lost his life, having left for Meghalaya on Ashoj 9.

The Rai couple of Jorkaphal in Durchhim have two sons and two daughters. The family members have been left destitute following the death of Ratan, who had been supporting the household with his wages. In the same incident, three other individuals from Khotang also lost their lives: Purniram Khapangi Magar, 27, and Surendra Khapangi Magar, 24, both from Salghari, Barahapokhari Rural Municipality-1, and Narbahadur Khapangi Magar, 35, from Bhanjyang in the same ward. Their last rites were performed in India. Local Shiva Kumar Shrestha informed that Purniram and Surendra from Salghari were brothers. Narbahadur, who was seriously injured in the explosion, died during treatment at Nilgreeen Hospital in Shillong on Magh 23.

Seriously Injured in Explosion Under Treatment in Shillong

Prakash Khapangi Magar, a relative of the deceased who reached the incident site, informed that four Nepali nationals seriously injured in the explosion are currently receiving treatment at Nilgreeen Hospital in Shillong. According to him, Karnabahadur Khapangi Magar, 47, from Salghari, Barahapokhari-1, and Bambaahadur Khapangi Magar, 40, from Bhanjyang, Dawa Sherpa, 48, from Mudhe, Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-2, and Lalitbahadur Lungeli Magar from Saune, Triyuga Municipality-14, in the neighboring district of Udayapur, are currently undergoing treatment.

Barahapokhari Rural Municipality is in mourning after three of its residents lost their lives in the same incident, having left home on Poush 3 for employment in Meghalaya, India. The Chief of the Rural Municipality, Shaligram Banjara, informed that Barahapokhari Rural Municipality has decided to provide relief funds of Rs 50,000 per person to the families of the deceased. Tarabal Magar from Balampa in the same Rural Municipality-1, who was working alongside them at the coal mine, informed about the incident via phone. Out of the seven people who went to Meghalaya to work in the coal mine, only Tarabal is safe.

Local Indra Limel Magar informed that a campaign has also been initiated to collect support for relief to the families of the deceased and for the treatment of the seriously injured following the incident at the Meghalaya coal mine.