Bodies of three Nepali killed in Meghalaya coal mine blast cremated in India

By Raj Kumar Bhattarai, Khotang, Feb 10: Three Nepali, who died in an explosion at a coal mine in Meghalaya, India, have been cremated in India, while the funeral of one more victim is yet to take place.

After it became impossible to bring the bodies back to Nepal, the bodies of three young men—including two brothers from the same family in Khotang—were taken to Jhalupara, Shillong and cremated on February 9.

According to Prakash Khapangi Magar, who reached the incident site, those cremated were 27-year-old Purna Bahadur Khapangi Magar, 24-year-old Surendra Khapangi Magar, and 35-year-old Nara Bahadur Khapangi Magar of  Salghari Bhanjyang, Barahapokhari Rural Municipality–1, Khotang. All died in a blast in a coal mine in Meghalaya on February 5.

 Purna Bahadur and Surendra were brothers from the same household.

Relatives said the cremations were carried out in Meghalaya, as bringing the bodies to Nepal would have been very costly. They also complained that they did not receive any assistance from the government to repatriate the bodies.

Purna Bahadur and Surendra died on the spot when a dynamite explosion occurred inside an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, on February 5. Nara Bahadur succumbed to his injuries during treatment on February 6.

In the same explosion, 46-year-old Karna Bahadur Khapangi of Salghari,Barahapokhari 40-year-old Bam Bahadur Khapangi of Barahapokhari Bhanjyang, and 40-year-old Lalit Magar of Saune, Udayapur, were seriously injured. 

Tarabal Magar of Barahapokhari–Walampa is reported to be safe. It is estimated that dozens of workers remain trapped inside the mine.

Meanwhile, the body of 50-year-old Ratna Rai of Durchhim Jorakaphal, Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-5, has also been found. 

Locals said funeral rites have begun in the village after the body was recovered a few days later. 

However, Rai’s cremation has not yet been conducted, as family members are still discussing whether to cremate him there or bring his body back to the village.