ngt-steps-in-after-31-killed-in-meghalaya-mine-blast

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of the February 5 dynamite explosion at a coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district that killed 31 people and injured 10, registering a case over suspected violations of environmental laws and the continuing ban on rat-hole mining.

 

Thirty-one people died and ten others were injured in the blast at a mine in the Mynsyngat-Thangsko area, authorities confirmed on February 11. The Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), in a press release issued from Shillong at 10 am, placed the toll at 31 and said 10 workers sustained injuries in the incident.

 

The explosion occurred around 11 am on February 5 and is suspected to have been triggered by dynamite. Initial reports indicated that several miners were trapped underground following the blast.

 

Acting on a news report published on February 6, 2026, the Tribunal registered an original application, noting that the mine was allegedly operating as an illegal rat-hole unit.

 

Also read: Meghalaya orders judicial inquiry into illegal mine blast

 

Rat-hole mining has been banned in Meghalaya, and the NGT observed that the incident appeared, prima facie, to involve non-compliance with its earlier orders.

 

A Bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel said the case raised substantial questions relating to environmental norms and enforcement of statutory provisions. The Bench referred to possible violations of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Indian Forest Act and the Environment (Protection) Act.

 

Referring to a Supreme Court judgment recognising its authority to initiate proceedings suo motu, the Tribunal formally registered the matter.

 

The Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Integrated Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Shillong, and the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills district have been named as respondents.

 

The Tribunal has issued notices directing the respondents to file their replies in the form of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for May 19, as scrutiny intensifies over mining practices in the coal-rich district.