Miners rescue: Supreme Court asks Centre, Meghalaya govt to file status report 

The Supreme Court on Friday asked Centre and the Meghalaya government to file a ''status report'' before it by January 7 on the steps taken and the progress made in the rescue operation of 15 miners trapped in an illegal flooded coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills since December 13 last year.

During the hearing of the case, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta told the apex court that the ''illegal mine'' was not maintained properly and blueprint was not available.

“I had a detailed meeting with home and defence joint secretaries, functional divers and officer of Coal India. Specialised divers of the Indian Navy were called but the operation is difficult as is there is a river nearby. The divers tried but the water is murky,'' the SG told the Supreme Court.

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In its response, the court asked the government to take action against mine owners. "Why should the workers suffer?" the court asked.

In Thailand, there was a blueprint and it being a cave there were air pockets, the SG told the court.

The court also expressed disappointement with the government's effort at the initial stages of the rescue operation.

“We are concerned with the fact that whether efforts are being made or not. Initially there were no serious efforts,” the court said.