Shillong: A magisterial inquiry is now investigating the Friday evening tragedy in Lapalang that killed five men inside a 33-foot-deep underground water reservoir. East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal ordered the probe on Monday to uncover the root cause and check for legal violations. Officials are specifically looking at whether an illegal pump caused the deaths.
Toxic fumes from a diesel pump killed the workers. Sub-Divisional Officer Larrypor Roy Nongbri confirmed the victims inhaled carbon monoxide while cleaning. Four workers entered the pit initially. One escaped to warn others, but three remained trapped. Sunil and Umesh Thakuri died attempting a rescue. The death toll hit five. The other victims are Pynskhemlang Mawthoh, Rapborlang Nongspung, and Elka Shadap.
Baranwal clarified the legal gray area surrounding water storage. Property owners do not need permits to dig wells. However, the law demands permission if a pump draws the water. The probe will determine if an unpermitted pump supplied the rented apartments. "In the Lapalang case, the owner does not require permission for the dugout well itself," Baranwal said. The final report hinges on pending post-mortem results.
The administration is moving to pay families under the Employees' Compensation Act of 1923. The Deputy Labour Commissioner is currently assisting with those claims. If that law does not fit the circumstances, officials plan to use the Fatal Accidents Act of 1855 to seek relief through the courts. Meanwhile, BJP MLA A.L. Hek urged Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to honor the Thakuri brothers for their bravery. Hek wants the families rewarded and those responsible for safety failures held accountable.
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