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Coal mine blasts triggered Bildwar cave collapse in Chhattisgarh

Blasts at coal mines of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) carried out on a regular basis for the last nine years caused Bildwar Cave Collapse, resulting in loss of eight lives, including three school students in Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh.

Bildwar cave- a religious tourist spot is located on Pratappur road and is surrounded by SECL's coal mines The blasts have caused cracks in many nearby houses and the cave as well.

City superintendent of police Manisha Thakur told TOI "Eight people were killed including three school girls who had gone to the cave to enjoy their holiday. They belonged to the nearby village. Other five people killed are sugar factory labourers. Two of them hailed from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh." Explaining the reason for the incident, Thakur said the cave made of sedimentary rocks had developed cracks on its walls. "The blasts at coal mining may be one reasons for the cave collapse. But being an ancient cave it was bound to collapse as sedimentary rocks are weak."

She said the rescue operations continued on Wednesday from early morning and the area was cleared by noon. According to the locals, few minutes before the incident took place a blast had taken place at a nearby coal mine.

Meanwhile, locals and eye-witnesses are raising questions over rescue operations being carried out with the use of an excavator or a digger for retrieving the bodies saying it resulted in mutilating the bodies and that it would be difficult identifying the bodies.

Leader of opposition TS Singhdeo and state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel were on a visit to the spot on Wednesday. State government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased families late on Tuesday.

Talking to TOI, state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said, "Many locals revealed that the temple priest near Bildwar cave and other residents had written to the district and state administration multiple times in the past but all in vain. State government should take the responsibility for the incident and take strict action. Also, we demand an increase in the compensation amount."

Bildwar cave is located nearly 22-25km from Ambikapur district and is visited by a number of people.

Source: The Times of India