The Meghalaya High Court on Monday expressed serious concern over what it described as a “distressing” failure of authorities to curb rampant illegal rat-hole coal mining in East Jaintia Hills district that claimed 27, officials said. The HC bench of Judges HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh also warned that accountability would be fixed and an independent or central agency probe could be ordered if required.The observations came as Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar of East Jaintia Hills appeared in connection with the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in Thangsku area of Mynsngat village, 130 km east of here..
A division bench of Justices H S Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh warned that accountability would be fixed and that the court could order a probe by an independent or central agency if required. The judges were hearing the matter after the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in the Thangsku area of Mynsngat village, around 130 km east of Shillong. Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar of East Jaintia Hills appeared before the court. A status report filed by the district administration cited a shortage of manpower, while stating that a criminal case had been registered and two people arrested in connection with the incident. The bench, however, said the report raised serious concerns and reflected lapses in enforcement. While refraining from issuing detailed directions at this stage, the court directed the authorities to submit a comprehensive report within 10 days.
The report must detail district-wide action to identify and shut down illegal mining sites, seize equipment and arrest those involved. The court also ordered that the report include the status of the investigation into an earlier incident on January 14, when a labourer from Assam was killed in the same area. The observations came after the court examined the Thirty-Sixth Interim Report of a court-appointed committee headed by retired judge B P Katakey. Based on a site visit, the report documented extensive illegal mining activity at Thangsku and in neighbouring Mopala and Sakhain villages, allegedly in defiance of court orders.