Three days after a catastrophic mining incident in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills, described as the worst in its history, the district administration has ramped up efforts against illegal coal mining following a directive from the Meghalaya High Court. Five enforcement teams, consisting of Executive Magistrates, police, and officials from the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR), are actively operating within the district. They have successfully seized approximately 3,197 metric tonnes (MT) of illegally mined coal from nine locations in Umlawang and 351 MT from four sites in Umthe.
In a separate initiative earlier on Friday, around 3,356 MT of coal was confiscated from eight locations along the Sakhain–Thangsko road, alongside the retrieval of tools and equipment associated with illegal mining activities. Notably, officials discovered 63 detonators in Umpleng Bazar, resulting in the arrest of three suspects. Additionally, one carton with 204 gelatine sticks was seized at Rangad. Two other locations revealed coal dumps measuring 153.4 MT and 22.3 MT.
Makeshift camps used by illegal miners were identified and dismantled. Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar reported that 30 cases related to illegal mining, transportation, and storage of coal have been registered, with further legal actions, including FIRs, anticipated. In the interest of public safety, the District Magistrate enacted prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in affected regions, echoing similar orders in West Jaintia Hills to ban illegal rat-hole mining and related activities without proper documentation.
In the aftermath of a devastating dynamite explosion at an illegal rat-hole mine in Mynsngat, no new bodies were found, maintaining a confirmed death toll of 27. Search and rescue operations, involving teams from the NDRF, SDRF, Special Rescue Team, police, and district administration, continue, aiming for comprehensive site coverage. Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar highlighted the challenge in determining the number of individuals trapped due to the lack of official records from illegal mines, with migrant workers suggesting that approximately 17 more may still be underground.
The nine injured survivors have been identified, and thirteen bodies retrieved from the explosion site were taken to Shillong Civil Hospital for post-mortem examinations. The government has provided ₹24 lakh in compensation to the families of eight victims, with additional payments pending document submissions from the next of kin.
