Shillong, Feb 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on February 5 took stock of the situation arising from a deadly explosion at a coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district and spoke to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, assuring full support from the Centre as rescue and recovery efforts continued in the remote area.
Shah said that one team of the National Disaster Response Force had already been deployed at the blast site in the Mynsyngat area under Thangsko (Thangskai), while two additional NDRF teams were being mobilised. Expressing anguish over the tragedy, the Home Minister said he was pained by the loss of lives and confirmed that central forces were being sent to assist state agencies in managing the aftermath.
The explosion, which occurred around 11 am at a suspected illegal coal mine, claimed the lives of at least 18 people, police said. One person who suffered burn injuries has been referred to a higher medical facility for treatment. Officials noted that the site, located about 25 kilometres from the district headquarters, is difficult to access and can only be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicles, complicating rescue operations.
Chief Minister Sangma thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the swift response from the Centre. The Chief Minister’s Office said the ex-gratia assistance announced from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would provide crucial support to the bereaved families and the injured during a moment of deep distress. The Prime Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured, while the Meghalaya government separately declared an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.
Addressing the media, Sangma described the incident as having taken place at an illegal mining site and issued a stern warning that those responsible would not be spared. He said illegal mining could no longer be tolerated, especially at a time when the state is attempting to transition towards regulated and scientific mining practices.
Police confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and the Explosives Substances Act. Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said all 18 bodies had been recovered during the operation.
The state government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident to fix responsibility. Sangma said accountability would be ensured and strict legal action would follow, reiterating that there would be no compromise on the safety of human lives as NDRF, SDRF and specialised rescue teams continue work at the site.
