Shillong (Meghalaya), Feb 9 : The Meghalaya government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district that killed 27 workers, said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday. The explosion occurred at a mine in the Thangsko area of Mynsngat village, about 40 km from the district headquarters.
A large-scale search and rescue operation recovered all the bodies. Two persons, Forme Chyrmang (36) and Shamehi War (42), have been arrested in connection with the incident. A suo motu FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, and Explosive Substances Act.
The incident highlights the persistence of banned rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya. The National Green Tribunal imposed a ban on this practice in 2014 due to environmental damage and risks to human life. A 2022 report found the state overstated pre-ban coal extraction by 13 lakh metric tonnes, raising concerns about illegal mining.
