Meghalaya coal mine explosion: Death toll rises to 27
Guwahati: The death toll in an illegal coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district rose to 27 on Saturday, prompting a belated crackdown across the district on the long-running rat-hole mining network.
The death toll increased after two more bodies were recovered on Saturday following the dynamite blast on Thursday at Minsingt in the Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills.
Nine others were also injured in the blast, highlighting the continued operation of underground coal mining despite a ban by the National Green Tribunal. On Saturday, police took two arrested mine owners, Forme Chirmang (36) and Shamehi War (42), to the blast site to reconstruct the events. During this process, the accused were made to identify the specific mining pits where the explosion occurred.
East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar said investigators recovered 11 detonators and used electrical wires from the area. Teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory and the bomb disposal squad have completed their on-site investigations.
The SP described as ironic the arrest of outsiders carrying explosives at Umpleng Bazaar, stating that 63 detonators were seized from individuals from Tripura and Assam.
Officials say this points to an organized supply system supporting the illegal mining, while critics argue that local mine operators procure such materials to circumvent safety regulations.
Police are now searching for five individuals who are still at large, including mine owners and supervisors. Kumar said all five have been identified and warned that if they are not apprehended by Sunday, police will seek non-bailable arrest warrants from the court on Monday. Further legal action, including property seizure if necessary, will be taken. An FIR has been registered at Khaliariyat Police Station under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and the Explosives Act, based on suo motu cognizance of the incident.
Following the incident, authorities launched a massive operation across the district. Teams of magistrates, police personnel, and mining officials are dismantling labor camps and seizing illegally stockpiled coal.
So far, approximately 3,500 metric tons of coal have been seized, and 25 cases have been registered, with officials expecting this number to rise.
Kumar stated that the labor camps are being dismantled and people are being asked to vacate the area. He added that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated and that additional armed forces and senior officers have been deployed for this operation.
