Police in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district have made significant progress in the aftermath of a deadly explosion at an illegal coal mine in Thangsko, which has left a death toll of 30. The recent arrest of two coal mine owners, Process Dkhar, believed to be the main owner of the mine, and Tensing Suchiang, highlights ongoing investigations into the incident. Previously arrested individuals, Forme Chyrmang and Shamehi War, have been placed in 14-day judicial custody as the legal process unfolds.
As part of the response, the district administration has begun to distribute ex-gratia compensation to the families of the deceased, with eight families already receiving assistance. Efforts to combat illegal coal mining have intensified, as evidenced by the registration of 34 FIRs and the seizure of substantial quantities of coal and mining equipment. A District Task Force, working alongside various government departments, has initiated enforcement operations to shut down illegal mining sites and curb unlawful activities.
In the wake of the disaster, a thorough search of the Thangsko mine by joint teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and Special Rescue Teams confirmed that no additional workers or bodies were found. The search and rescue operations were officially concluded on Monday.
The district administration is focusing on long-term strategies to prevent illegal mining, including a high-level meeting with senior officials to plan further measures. The potential use of drones for surveillance is also being considered, while seized coal will be transported to designated depots for auction, accompanied by strict monitoring to ensure illegal activities do not resume. These actions demonstrate a concerted effort by local authorities to respond to the tragedy and address the rampant issue of illegal coal mining in the region.