Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday directed the police to take strict action against those responsible for a dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine in Mynsyngat area under Thangkso in East Jaintia Hills district. Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister said the explosion occurred at around 11 am and, as per preliminary reports, claimed 18 lives, while one-person sustained injuries and has been shifted to Ialong Civil Hospital in Jowai. Reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining, Sangma said that with the commencement of scientific mining in the state, all miners are required to apply for valid mining licences and any illegal activity will not be tolerated.
Conrad further said strict action will be taken against individuals involved in any kind of illegal activities. We will not allow anyone responsible for such acts to go scot-free. He informed that the incident took place at a remote location about 25 km from Khliehriat, which takes nearly three hours to reach due to difficult terrain and is accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Sangma said teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police officials including the Inspector General of Police, Eastern Range, along with officials from the Mining Department and the local administration, have been deployed at the site. The Chief Minister said a comprehensive inquiry will be conducted at all levels to ascertain the illegal activities being carried out, the reasons behind the dynamite blast, and to identify those responsible.
Sangma further informed that Cabinet Ministers Lahkmen Rymbui and Wailadmiki Shylla have been deputed to visit the site on Friday. He also said that he and the Deputy Chief Ministers are in constant touch with the district administration and police.
