Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday informed the Assembly that 14 persons have been arrested in connection with illegal coal mining in East Jaintia Hills, including seven linked to the February 5 blast at an illegal mine in Thangsku that killed 33 people.
A suo motu FIR was registered at Khliehriat Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Explosive Substances Act. A Special Investigation Team headed by the DIG (Eastern Range) was constituted on February 12 to probe the incident.
Sangma said the government has also set up a judicial commission under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, headed by retired Justice R S Chauhan, with retired IPS officer H Nongpluh and retired IAS officer Peter Dkhar as members. The panel has been given six months to submit its report.
“The judicial commission will not only investigate the February 5 incident but also examine the larger issues surrounding illegal mining and propose long-term solutions, which will be placed before this House,” Sangma said.
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The commission will examine lapses by authorities or individuals, recommend reforms and suggest rehabilitation measures for those dependent on coal mining. It will also consider whether constitutional exemptions under the Sixth Schedule may be required in relation to central mining laws.
The chief minister said 62 FIRs related to illegal coal extraction have been filed, including 57 after the blast. Authorities have seized 15,224.72 metric tonnes of coal, 25.5 kg of gelatin, 74 detonators and multiple vehicles, and dismantled six cranes used in illegal operations. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS have been imposed around mining areas, and drone surveillance intensified.
A multi-agency search and rescue operation recovered 18 bodies on the first day, four on February 6 and two on February 7; several injured later succumbed. The operation was called off on February 9.
Meghalaya has witnessed repeated concerns over illegal “rat-hole” mining despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2014. The latest tragedy has renewed focus on enforcement and regulatory reform in the coal-rich district.
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