SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 2: A major part of a Mosque ( Jama Masjid) caved in completely in the densely populated Modidih basti of Sijua colliery area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), around 20 km away from district headquarters on the previous night.
Four washrooms, Wazukhana, Azaangah, main gate of Mosque, courtyard, loudspeaker and generator set were completely destroyed in the incident. However, no loss of life was reported as no one was present inside the Mosque when the building caved in.
Residents of the basti said that over 100 Namajis had offered prayer in the Mosque two and half hours ago at around 5.30 p.m. and the incident occurred around 7.30 p.m.
The irate villagers stopped the mining of the outsourcing company named Hill Top Rise Pvt. Ltd. after this incident. The outsourcing company officials and miners fled from the colliery after seeing the angry mob. Even the BCCL officials did not reach the spot at night, fearing retaliation from residents.
The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) and management of BCCL have already declared the area as a dangerous zone due to underground fire. They also had served an eviction notice to illegal residents.
On receiving the information, officer in-charge of Jogta police station Pankaj Verma and officers of BCCL Survey department reached the spot at night and barricaded the surrounding area of Mosque for safety.
The residents alleged that BCCL authorities declared the basti as a dangerous zone but did not initiate steps for rehabilitation of residents. Over 1500 families are living in the area.
INTUC leader Ashok Lal, son of former minister late OP Lal threatened that people will stop mining in the Modidih Colliery if BCCL fails to rehabilitate the residents at a safer place.
