PTI, SHILLONG: A member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday expressed concern that children are being employed in coal mines of Meghalaya, which was banned by the National Green Tribunal four years ago. NHRC member Justice P C Ghosh also urged the authorities to stop illegal coal mining to address its impact on environment and for the safety of labourers.
“The tunnels of the mines are called rat-holes because of their small heights. (That is why) children are generally employed in these coal mines,” Justice Ghosh said while addressing a workshop on elimination of bonded labour and child labour system here.
Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow horizontal tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The NHRC member said it has been observed that water floods those mines resulting in the death of many, as in the case of one in East Jaintia Hills district recently.
