SHILLONG : East Khasi Hills Police have summoned the owner of a premises and a contractor in connection with the Lapalang well tragedy that claimed the lives of five workers, who are suspected to have died from carbon dioxide poisoning.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said a criminal case has been registered and the investigation is progressing to determine whether negligence led to the fatal incident.
“It was an unfortunate incident indeed where five people died in a well. They died of carbon dioxide poisoning. A case has been registered under Section 106 for negligence leading to death, and Sections 50 and 51 of the Disaster Management Act,” Syiem said.
According to the SP, the two persons named in the case are the owner of the premises, K. Hinge, and the contractor, M. Beena.
“The two people who have been implicated are the owner of the premises, K. Hinge, and the contractor, M. Beena. They have been summoned today under Section 33 of the BNSS and they have been examined, and their statements recorded,” he said.
Syiem said police are awaiting technical reports from various government departments before deciding the next course of action.
“The investigation is underway and we are waiting for opinions from departments such as Pollution, Water Resources and others to determine whether there was any negligence on the part of the owner and the contractor,” he said.
He added that officials from the concerned departments had already visited the site and their findings would help determine further legal action.
“After we receive these opinions, we will take a call on how to proceed with the case,” Syiem said.
The SP clarified that no arrests have been made so far.
“They have not been arrested, but notices have been issued,” he added.
Five workers lost their lives after entering a well at Lapalang. Preliminary findings indicate that the deaths were caused by carbon dioxide poisoning, while the police continue to investigate whether negligence contributed to the tragedy.