SHILLONG, Feb 17: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the Judicial Enquiry Commission has been asked to submit its report within six months on the Mynsngat-Thangkso mine explosion, which killed more than 30 workers on February 5 and on the root causes of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya.
“The judicial commission of inquiry, as per the terms of reference will undertake not only an investigation of the incident that occurred on 5th February, 2026, but will examine the root cause of illegal mining and suggest measures which will as per the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, again be placed in this August House,” Sangma said in a suo motu statement during the first day of the Assembly’s budget session today.
“…the state government is committed to ensuring that illegal coal mining and illegal transportation do not go unchecked,” he assured.
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The Chief Minister added that his administration has taken steps to ensure that “scientific mining is also taken up, with three approvals already obtained for scientific mining and 20 more being forwarded to the Government of India, which are at an advanced stage of receiving clearances.”
The Judicial Inquiry Commission, constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 and notified on February 14, is headed by a former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts, with two members — retired IPS H Nongpluh and retired IAS Peter Dkhar.
Highlighting the terms of reference of the Commission, Sangma said it will inquire into the circumstances leading to the incident dated 05.02.2026 in the coal mine(s) located at Mynsngat-Thangsko village in East Jaintia Hills. He added that it will submit a comprehensive fact-finding report on the acts and/or omissions of the persons and/or authorities concerned, including any failure to prevent the occurrence of the incident on February 5.
“The Commission will examine the root causes of illegal coal mining in the State of Meghalaya, including but not limited to the working conditions of labourers and miners whose livelihoods depend on coal mining,” he said, adding that the Commission will recommend remedial measures, including administrative and institutional reforms, to be adopted by the Meghalaya government to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
The Commission has also been asked to suggest appropriate measures, including financial package(s) or rehabilitation scheme(s), for persons whose livelihoods depended on coal mining prior to the NGT ban and to suggest whether the state government ought to approach the President of India for any relaxation, modification or exception in the application of the provisions of the Mines and Mineral Development Act, 1957 or any other applicable law passed by Parliament under Para 12(A)(b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in view of the traditional practices of mining prevalent in the State of Meghalaya. “The Commission will submit its report within a period of six months,” the Chief Minister said. (NNN)
