Meghalaya mine blast: Toll rises to 18; high court orders arrests, summons top officials

SHILLONG: Taking serious note of the coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district that killed at least 18 people, the Meghalaya High Court on Thursday directed authorities to arrest those responsible for illegal mining and summoned the district superintendent of police and the deputy commissioner to appear before it on February 9.“The exact number of labourers present inside the mine at the time of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. More people are feared trapped,” DGP I Nongrang told news agency PTI.A division bench comprising Justices H S Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh took suo motu cognisance of media reports on the blast at an allegedly illegal coal mine in the Thangsku area.The court expressed grave concern over the continued operation of illegal coal mines in the region despite a similar fatal incident reported on January 14 this year, and questioned the failure of enforcement agencies to prevent such activities.The court directed the deputy commissioner and cuperintendent of police of East Jaintia Hills to take immediate steps to identify and arrest the mine owners and operators involved in the alleged illegal mining activities and to seize all incriminating materials.It also directed the authorities to ensure that immediate assistance and medical aid are provided to the affected and injured persons to the extent possible.The High Court further directed the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police to appear in person before it at 10.30 am on February 9, along with details of the action taken, and to explain how the illegal mining activities were allowed to continue.The court warned that further orders would follow in case of non-compliance.It also instructed the court registry to immediately communicate a copy of the order to the deputy commissioner and SP of East Jaintia Hills through email as well as hard copy, and to provide a copy to the Advocate General on the same day.(With agency inputs)