CM Warns Of Strict Action, Deputes 2 Ministers To Assess Situation
Shilong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said his government will take strict action against those responsible for the East Jaintia Hills coal mine explosion in which at least 18 people died. He also assigned two cabinet ministers to assess the situation on the spot.
The Prime Minister said ministers have been asked to visit the area, meet officials and assess the rescue, relief and law and order situation.
He said senior police officers and mining department officials, including the Inspector General of Police in the district, were already present in the area.
Sangma stated that the police were instructed to take strict action against those responsible for the incident and warned that illegal mining activities would not be tolerated.
With the start of scientific mining, miners are expected to apply for legal mining licenses, he said, adding that the option is now available and such incidents cannot be allowed to happen.
The Chief Minister announced that the state government will give a gift of 3 lakh rupees per person to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the incident.
At least 18 miners were killed in an explosion at an illegal coal mine in the remote Thangsku area of East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday.
Rescue efforts continue amid concerns that more people are trapped.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed his sorrow for those who lost their lives, expressed his condolences to the grieving families, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was pained by the accident and announced a gift of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the relatives of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Sangma and assured him of all possible support from the Center for the ongoing rescue operations.
The Meghalaya High Court immediately took cognizance of media reports about the incident and directed the East Jaintia Hills deputy commissioner and police chief to identify and arrest the mine owners and operators involved in illegal mining.
The court also personally invited two police officers to the hearing with details of the actions taken.
The incident has once again drawn attention to illegal coal mining in the state.
The National Green Tribunal had banned rat hole coal mining and other unscientific mining practices in Meghalaya in 2014 and also imposed restrictions on transportation of illegally mined coal, citing environmental damage and safety hazards. Despite the ban, the state has witnessed a series of fatal accidents in coal mines in recent years.
The state government said mining would now be permitted only under scientific and regulated procedures and appealed to miners to obtain appropriate licenses and operate strictly within the legal framework.
Rathole mining involves digging narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 meters high, for workers to move in and out of coal. Horizontal tunnels are often called “mouse holes” because each one just about fits one person.
