Digging in the mine was banned four years ago, but illegal and unsafe activity by private landowners and the local community is rife Rescuers would be able to reach those missing only after the water has been pumped out of the mine GAUHATI, India: Police say 13 young miners are missing and feared dead following the collapse of a shaft and flooding of a coal mine they were illegally digging in India’s remote northeast. The police control room says that efforts are being made to pump out water from the mine in Meghalaya state where the flooding took place two days ago. Police said the digging in the mine was banned four years ago, but illegal and unsafe activity by private landowners and the local community is rife. The police said rescuers would be able to reach those missing only after the water has been pumped out of the mine. Demand for coal has increased in energy-hungry India. Coal mafia operations in mining areas have led to accidents. .