HT Bureau
SHILLONG, Feb 6: The death toll in the explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district rose to 25 on Friday with the recovery of seven more bodies, as search and rescue operations continued and the state government warned of stringent action against those responsible.
Director General of Police I Nongrang said the blast occurred on Thursday at a mine in the remote Thangsku area of Umsngat village. Eighteen bodies were recovered on Thursday, and seven more were found on Friday, taking the total number of deaths to 25, of which 12 have so far been identified.
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Teams of the State Disaster Response Force, Special Rescue Team and the National Disaster Response Force are engaged in the operation, with medical teams and ambulances deployed at the site.
The Army and the Air Force remain on standby as the district administration and the State Disaster Management Authority closely monitor the situation.
Chief minister Conrad K Sangma said the government would take strict action against those involved in illegal mining and deputed two cabinet ministers to assess the situation on the ground.
The ministers have been asked to visit the spot, meet officials and take stock of rescue, relief and law and order arrangements. Senior police officers, including the Inspector General of Police of the range, and officials of the mining department are already present at the site.
Sangma said illegal mining activities would not be tolerated, noting that with the start of scientific mining, miners are expected to apply for legal licences as the option is now available.
He announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh each from the state government to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the incident.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was pained by the mishap and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief minister and assured all possible support from the Centre for the ongoing rescue operations.
The Meghalaya High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on the incident and directed the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of East Jaintia Hills to identify and arrest mine owners and operators involved in illegal mining, summoning both officers to appear in person with details of action taken.
The incident has once again brought focus on illegal coal mining in the state.
The National Green Tribunal had banned rat-hole coal mining and other unscientific practices in Meghalaya in 2014, citing environmental damage and safety hazards, but the state has continued to witness fatal accidents in recent years.
The government has reiterated that mining will now be permitted only under scientific and regulated procedures, urging miners to obtain proper licences and operate strictly within the legal framework. (With inputs from PTI)
