Meghalaya rat-hole mine blast: 57 FIRs registered, 15,000 tonnes illegal coal seized

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday (February 16, 2026) said that 57 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered regarding illegal coal mining following the February 5 explosion in mouse hole mine that killed 33 miners.

Five additional FIRs related to illegal transportation of coal and two more FIRs related to seizure of explosives have been registered following the deadly blast in Mynsngat-Thangsko area in East Jaintia Hills district, he told the 60-member House.

Presenting the sanction figures in a statement, the Prime Minister said that 15,224.72 metric tons of illegally mined coal were seized following the coal mine incident. While 7 people were arrested in the explosion incident, 7 more people were arrested in connection with other illegal coal-related activities.

Elimination of illegal mining

“The State Government is committed to ensuring that illegal coal mining and illegal transport is stopped,” he said, informing Parliament that drones were being used to monitor mining areas where enforcement teams continue to inspect the land.

Putting the death toll at 33, Mr. Sangma said unstable ground conditions, limited underground passages, debris and the presence of machinery and explosives posed serious risks to coal mine explosion survivors and rescue personnel.

He said the state government had notified a judicial commission of inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 on February 14, two days after a Special Investigation Team of the police was constituted to probe the case.

Earlier, Governor C H Vijayashankar told the Assembly that the state was moving “steadily” towards regulated and sustainable mining, with three projects receiving final approval and 20 applications approved in further stages.

The National Green Tribunal banned dangerous mousehole coal mining in April 2014. The ban was later upheld by the Supreme Court.