Shillong Dec 29: Few individuals gathered at Khyndai Lad on Saturday evening to express solidarity with the families of the 15 miners who have been trapped inside an illegal coal mine at Khloo Ryngksan in East Jaiñtia Hills district, and prayed for the safety of the miners.

Amita Sangma who survived the brutal attack by suspected coal mafias in East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8, and few Church leaders, including Kyrsoi Pyrtuh and P.B.M. Basaiawmoit attended the gathering and prayed for the miners and their families.

A banner displayed at the gathering says, “lives of coal workers cannot be compromised on the altar of private profit.”

Sangma, who recalled the attack, said that the state government has been cheating repeatedly that there was no illegal mining and God has now revealed everything.

Sangma and social activist, Agnes Kharshiing were attacked at Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills district when they took pictures of trucks ferrying coal illegally and after they returned from Lad Rymbai police outpost where they had requested police to accompany them to the place where illegal mining was going on.

Angela Rangad said that coal labourers have been victims of illegal mining activities who risked their life for the benefit of few rich people who have denied farmers the right to cultivate by taking control over the cultivable land for mining of minerals which led to massive destruction of the environment.