Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday said the government is examining ways to provide financial assistance to the families of the five people who died of suffocation in a dug-out well at Lapalang, while reiterating that action would be taken against those found violating the law.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said the victims belonged to economically weaker sections of society and that the government was exploring options to support their families.
“They are all from a very, very economically weak section of society. Therefore, we are looking at ways in which we can give some support,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he had received representations from several National People’s Party (NPP) units, including the Nongthymmai unit and other constituency units, urging the government to extend assistance to the bereaved families.
However, Sangma noted that the existing Disaster Management framework does not provide for compensation in accidents of this nature.
“The problem is that under the Disaster Management, there is no provision to support accidents which happen like this. But because they are from a very poor background, I will examine the matter, and then I’ll make a decision,” he said.
On the issue of accountability, the Chief Minister said appropriate action would be taken against those found to have violated the law.
“There were rules, laws, and certain things were prohibited. Individuals who are not following those prohibitions, breaking the laws, breaking the rules, appropriate action will be taken against them,” he said.
Five people, including two who attempted to rescue trapped workers, died of suffocation on July 10 after inhaling fumes from a generator used to pump water out of a dug-out well at a private construction site in Lapalang under Rynjah Police Station. One labourer escaped, while the two rescuers and three trapped workers lost their lives.
The East Khasi Hills district administration has booked the owner of the construction site and the contractor for alleged negligence.
