Two colliery workers killed after portion of roof falls

Two colliery workers were killed after a portion of the roof fell on them in Pandabeswar in West Burdwan district, police said on Monday. The deceased - Chandrasekhar Giri (50) and Kaleshwar Mahato (42) - were working at the Khottadih colliery of Eastern Coalfield Ltd when the chunk of the roof collapsed around 4 am on Sunday, a police officer said.

Giri and Mahato had died by the time they were recovered from the rubble, he said.

Fellow colliery workers staged a protest against the incident, demanding compensation for their family before the ECL management assured them of adequate ex gratia, the officer said.

A member of the workers' union alleged that ECL - a subsidiary of mining major Coal India Ltd - did not follow safety norms at the collieries. He, however, said that the management will offer employment to one family member of both the deceased and pay Rs 7 lakh each as compensation. The management of the company could not be contacted for comment.