Meghalaya

At least 18 people lost their lives in a devastating explosion at an unauthorised coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, prompting swift relief measures from the state and central governments and the registration of a suo motu FIR to crack down on illegal mining activities. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh from the Government of Meghalaya to the next of kin of each deceased victim. In addition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The ex gratia assistance is aimed at providing immediate relief to the bereaved families and those injured in what has been described as one of the deadliest mining acci...

Taking serious note of the coal mine explosion in East Jaintia Hills district that left at least 18 people dead, the Meghalaya High Court on Thursday directed the authorities to arrest those responsible for illegal mining activities and summoned the district SP and deputy commissioner to appear before it on February 9. Taking judicial notice of the incident based on electronic media reports, the bench expressed concern over the continuation of illegal coal mining in the area despite a reported loss of life in a similar incident on January 14 this year. A division bench of the Meghalaya High Court, comprising HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh, took suo motu cognisance of media reports on the blast in the Thangsku area. The court expressed concern that illegal coal mining had persisted despit...

The Meghalaya Cabinet has recently approved amendments to the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsman Direct Appointment Policy, which aims to provide enhanced support to sportspersons. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced that these minor changes were decided approximately six to seven months ago and are part of a broader initiative to benefit athletes. The Cabinet has also approved the draft of the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsmen Direct Appointment Service Rules, which create a dedicated cadre for medal-winning sportspersons from prestigious tournaments, including the Olympics, National Games, and South Asian Games. Notably, only six recognized tournaments are included in this framework, and the cadre will be tailored to individual sportspersons and their specific positions. This arrangement ...

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are heading to the site of a coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. Shah conveyed his sorrow over the tragic loss of life resulting from the accident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon at an illegal coal mine. He noted that one NDRF team has already arrived at the scene, and he has been in contact with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, to offer the full support of the central government. As of the latest reports, the death toll has risen to 18, with many workers still trapped inside the mine, raising concerns for their safety and prompting a swift response from federal authorities to manage the situation.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has ordered police to take strict action regarding a dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine in the Mynsyngat area of East Jaintia Hills, which occurred on Thursday around 11 am. The blast has reportedly resulted in 18 fatalities, with one person injured and hospitalized. Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining, Sangma stated that operation under valid mining licenses is mandatory with the initiation of scientific mining in the state, and any illegal activities will be met with firm consequences. The explosion took place in a remote area, approximately 25 km from Khliehriat, making access challenging. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police are responding ...

PRIME Meghalaya hosted a program at Ward’s Lake, Shillong to celebrate the Top 75 Startups selected through the Chief Minister’s E-Championship Challenge 6.0, marking the commencement of their incubation phase and the graduation of 75 Startups from Cohort 5. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma emphasized the transformative potential of entrepreneurship for both the state and the nation, highlighting the evolution of an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Meghalaya over recent years, which has gained recognition from the Government of India through various awards. Sangma shared his personal struggles as an entrepreneur before entering politics, expressing empathy for the challenges faced by new business owners. He affirmed the government's support for fostering entrepreneurial initiatives but w...

At least 16 people were killed and many injured in a suspected dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday morning, police said.Confirming the incident, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said till evening, 16 bodies had been recovered but were yet to be identified. The injured person, who sustained burn injuries, was shifted to a hospital in Shillong for treatment.Police teams rushed to the site after receiving information about the explosion, while a unit from the Fire and Emergency Services in Shillong was also dispatched to assist in rescue and assessment operations.“We are trying to gather information about the mine owner and those operating the mine. Necessary legal action will be taken once details are verified,” the SP said,...

Several labourers are feared killed in an explosion at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills' Thangsko area, with the death toll awaiting confirmation. "Our team has confirmed that the incident took place this morning, but the numbers are not confirmed," district police chief Vikash Kumar said on Thursday. He however said that one person was injured and referred to Shillong from Sutnga PHC. The police are seeking the help of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) team to initiate rescue operations. "The SDRF team are yet to come," Kumar added. The explosion is suspected to have occurred during coal mining activities at the site, which is believed to be an illegal operation. "Yes, it seems like that," Kumar said when asked if the mine was illegal. Further details are awaited as...

A Meghalaya RTI activist has raised serious questions over the appointment of seven Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), alleging a lack of transparency and favouritism in their selection, as well as the use of public funds for their salaries and allowances. Manbhalang Phankon, an RTI activist from Madanrting, claimed that information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act shows that seven contractual OSDs were personally appointed and attached directly to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma without any open recruitment process, competitive examination or public advertisement. According to the RTI replies, each of the seven OSDs receives a monthly salary of Rs 1 lakh. The state exchequer has spent Rs 1,68,12,785 on their salaries since 2019. Th...

Residents of Lower Balian in the pollution-hit Byrnihat area of Meghalaya on Wednesday protested outside an industrial unit, and locked its premises over alleged illegal operations and adding to pollution woes. Byrnihat, located along the Assam-Meghalaya interstate border, in recent national air quality assessments, has been ranked as India's most polluted town, with PM2.5 levels far exceeding permissible limits, and industrial emissions cited as a key factor behind the deteriorating air quality. The residents targeted a ferro alloy company’s premises, alleging that the unit has been operating illegally without valid documents while exposing the locality to severe air pollution and dust emissions.