Landslide at mining site in Bhiwani kills 3

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, January 1

A landslide in the Dadam mining zone in Tosham block of Bhiwani on Saturday left three persons dead and two injured. At least eight persons were feared trapped under the debris. The Army, NDRF and SDRF teams have launched rescue operations.

It was 9 am when huge boulders at the site adjoining a forest area caved in. Officials identified the deceased as Sanjay of Jind, Vijender of Tosham and Tufan Singh of Jharkhand.

Oppn leaders blame ‘illegal digging’

• Ex-CM Hooda and other Oppn leaders blame illegal mining, demand a judicial inquiry
• BJP MP Dharambir too blames illegal mining for the mishap
• Ajit S Shekhawat, Bhiwani SP, says firm had valid contract, no report of illegal mining

The mishap occurred a day after mining operations were resumed in the area, which were shut on the NGT directions to prevent air pollution.

Ajit Singh Shekhawat, Bhiwani SP, confirmed three persons had died, two were injured and two were missing. He said prima facie there was no report of illegal mining as the firm engaged for the work had a valid contract.

However, several leaders blamed ‘illegal mining’ for the mishap. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda demanded a probe. “Illegal mining is being done in the area, but the government is mum,” he claimed.

Dharambir Singh, the BJP MP from Bhiwani-Mahendragarh too alleged illegal mining had led to the incident. Tosham MLA Kiran Choudhry demanded compensation for the affected families. Ved Pal Tanwar, a representative of Goverdhan Mines, denied the illegal mining charge.