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 officials involved in the illegal mining operations. The explosion took place in a rat-hole coal mine, and rescue operations are currently underway.