The death count from the illegal coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has risen to 27, as of Saturday. This tragic event has led to a belated crackdown on the longstanding rat-hole mining operations in the area.
The casualties increased after rescue teams recovered two more bodies on Saturday, following a dynamite blast on Thursday at Mynsyngat in the Thangsko region. The explosion also left nine others injured, highlighting the ongoing illegal coal mining activities despite a prohibition enforced by the National Green Tribunal.
On Saturday, police escorted two arrested mine owners, Forme Chyrmang, 36, and Shamehi War, 42, to the explosion site to reconstruct the sequence of events. The accused pointed out the specific mining pits where the incident occurred.
East Jaintia Hills’ Superintendent of Police, Vikash Kumar, reported that investigators discovered 11 detonators and used electric wires in the vicinity. Teams from both the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Bomb Disposal Squad have completed their inspections at the site.
The Superintendent described the detention of non-local individuals carrying explosives at Umpleng Bazaar as particularly noteworthy, given that 63 detonators were seized from individuals hailing from Tripura and Assam. This points to a coordinated supply chain supporting illegal mining, with critics alleging that local mine operators procure such materials to bypass safety regulations.
Authorities are currently searching for five mine operators and supervisors who are still at large. Kumar stated that all have been identified and warned that if arrests are not made by Sunday, law enforcement will file for non-bailable arrest warrants on Monday. Further legal action, including property seizure, will ensue if necessary.
A suo motu FIR has been filed at Khliehriat police station under various legal provisions, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
In response to the explosion, officials have launched a comprehensive enforcement operation throughout the district. Teams of magistrates, police officers, and mining officials have begun dismantling workers’ camps and seizing illegally stored coal.
To date, approximately 3,500 metric tonnes of coal have been confiscated, and 25 cases have been registered, with authorities anticipating that these numbers will climb. Kumar indicated that labor camps are being dismantled and residents are being ordered to vacate the area, emphasizing that illegal mining operations will no longer be tolerated. Additional armed forces and senior officials have been deployed to support these efforts.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/meghalaya-coal-mine-blast-toll-rises-to-27-crackdown-begins-in-east-jaintia-hills.html
Category: Meghalaya,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2026-02-08 08:45:00
