The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of the blast at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. The death toll in the explosion that occurred on February 5 has now risen to 30. Reportedly, the incident has left several others trapped at unspecified depths. The NHRC has observed that the contents of the news reports, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Meghalaya, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
The report is expected to include the status of rescue operation, compensation to the aggrieved families and police investigation as well as steps taken/ proposed by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Meghalaya Coal Mine Blast: NHRC Initiates Suo Motu Action
