Meghalaya

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has condemned authorities following the death of at least 18 laborers in a suspected explosion at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. He labeled the incident a "horrific explosion" and criticized the "criminal apathy" of the governing bodies, attributing the conditions leading to the tragedy to poverty and exploitation amid regulatory failures. Banerjee accused the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) of facilitating illegal mining through political protection, administrative silence, and systemic corruption, asserting that the "blood of these workers stains the hands" of those in power. He expressed condolences to the grieving families and demanded accountabilities for all responsible parties, including mine operators and off...

In a major step to ease chronic traffic congestion near the Addl. Secretariat, Shillong, Shillong Smart City Limited (SSCL) has announced a Mechanised Multilevel Car Park  on Vivekananda Road, aimed at transforming parking management in one of the city’s busiest corridors. Built at a cost of ₹6.5 crore under the DBOT (Design, Build, Operate, Maintain & Transfer) model, the facility will feature an eight-level automated structure on a compact 630 sq. metre site, accommodating 58 vehicles through a “1 stationary, 7 moving” vertical stacking system. Each slot can support up to 2,300 kg, suitable for SUVs and sedans, with vehicle retrieval in around two minutes. An SSCL official said the project reflects the city’s push toward smart infrastructure. “Given Shillong’s limited road s...

A deadly explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has once again brought the issue of unlawful mining in the state into sharp focus, with Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy blaming organised criminal networks for continuing such operations despite repeated warnings and restrictions. At least 18 people were killed in the incident, while one person was injured and is undergoing treatment at a civil hospital.The accident occurred on February 5 at an unauthorised mining site in the Mynsyngat area under Thangskai in East Jaintia Hills. Officials said the blast took place inside the illegal mine where workers were engaged in extraction activities. Rescue teams reached the location soon after the incident, and authorities began an investigation to determine t...

The deadly explosion at an alleged illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has triggered strong responses from the judiciary, the central government and the state administration, as investigations continue into the incident that killed at least 18 workers and injured another. Taking serious note of the tragedy, the Meghalaya High Court on February 5 ordered immediate arrests of those responsible for running the illegal mining operation. A division bench comprising Justices HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh took suo motu cognisance of media reports about the blast in the Thangskai area and expressed concern that illegal coal mining was still continuing despite earlier fatal incidents in the region, including one reported in January this year. The court directed the de...

The East Jaintia Hills police on Friday arrested two owners of an illegal coal mine where a powerful explosion claimed 18 lives and left several others injured at Mynsyngat in the Thangsko area, under the jurisdiction of Umpleng Police Outpost. Confirming the arrests, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said the two accused mine owners were taken into custody earlier in the day and will be produced before the court. He added that details regarding their identities will be shared after they are produce before the court. The SP also informed that rescue and search operations at the blast site have resumed, led jointly by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). He said the operations are being carried out with extreme caution ...

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 ...