The Meghalaya government on Sunday ordered a judicial inquiry into the fatal mining accident in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district, even as the incident once again drew attention to the persistence of illegal coal mining in the state despite a long-standing ban.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced that a Judicial Inquiry Commission will be constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act to examine the circumstances leading to the explosion and subsequent cave-in at the illegal mine. The commission will look into the sequence of events, identify lapses, and fix responsibility, he said.
Authorities have confirmed that at least six of the victims were from neighbouring Assam, underlining how workers continue to cross state boundaries in search of daily-wage employment in hazardous, unregulated mining operations. Most of those killed or injured were reportedly labourers working under unsafe conditions when the blast occurred, triggering a collapse inside the mine.
Also read: Meghalaya mine blast: Search on for missing, toll 27
The accident led to a prolonged rescue and recovery operation involving the police, disaster response teams, district officials and local volunteers. The effort stretched over several days, complicated by the difficult terrain, unstable mine shafts and the constant risk of further cave-ins. At various stages, officials also expressed concern that more workers might still be trapped underground.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya, which remains officially prohibited following orders of the National Green Tribunal. Despite repeated directives from courts and warnings from authorities, illegal mining activities have continued in parts of the state, often driven by economic distress and weak enforcement in remote areas.
Chief Minister Sangma said the findings of the judicial commission are expected to form the basis for legal action and help strengthen preventive mechanisms to avoid such tragedies in the future. He stressed the need for accountability and stricter enforcement to ensure that banned mining practices do not claim more lives.
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