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 due to the risk of landslides and further instability inside the illegal coal mine.
“There is no report of any additional casualties so far,” Kumar said. According to police, seven persons sustained serious burn injuries in the explosion. The injured have been identified as Shanki Shylla (35), Deb Malakar (25), Korna (46), Bom Magar (40), Lalit Magar (44) and Jamil Ahmed (36). All of them reportedly suffered deep-degree burn injuries and are undergoing medical treatment.