Shillong, Jan 5: Three dead bodies in East Jaintia Hills and graphic videos of blast victims allegedly from an illegal mining area in Thangkso have raised a massive stir among the interested public, where continued illegal rat-hole mining allegedly run by an entrenched mafia has been the hottest topic for a long time.
The three dead bodies were found in different circumstances and whether the video showing blast victims and a report that two of them died is linked is an urgent question that the state authorities have not answered yet.
Except for Justice (Retd) BP Katakey, head of the single-member committee constituted by the Meghalaya High Court, none among the rulers of the state have shown interest in finding out the truth in these events.
Justice Katakey has sought a report from the Meghalaya Police on the reported death of two coal miners in an illegal mine in Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills district.
Based on the official police report, the committee will determine its next course of action.
It is alleged by sources that two coal miners were reportedly killed and many sustained grievous injuries allegedly due to a dynamite explosion on December 23.
East Jaintia Hills district Police said they have been asked to submit a report on the incident and are currently conducting an inquiry into the alleged incident.
Meanwhile, as per medical documents one of the deceased was identified as Ashok Tamang (32) of Ladrymbai. He was referred by the Sutnga Primary Health Centre to the Shillong Civil Hospital after receiving burns due to a “dynamite explosion” at a “stone quarry” that reportedly occurred at 7 am.
The full upper part of the body of the victim was totally burnt with an abrasion mark on the upper right knee and burnt mark on the right lower thigh, as per the inquest report. He died on January 1, 2026.
No further details about the second deceased are available as sources suspect that he was a Bangladeshi.
Then there is the case of the dead body of a man identified as Justin, found with 80 per cent burn marks in a cowshed in Lakasein, Pophang on December 29 at around 5:30 pm.
The other body was seen floating on the river Saitharlong under the Umpleng police Thana on December 27. It was recovered by the police and now in the Khliehriat Civil Hospital morgue for identification.
Also as pointed out by local people, the authorities denying the existence of rat hole mining is shown up as a cover-up in the light of numerous videos posted on social media showing mining going on, as well as showing convoys of trucks loaded with coal running along rough roads as well as the highway.
There have been reports concerning the deaths of coal miners in the East Jaintia Hills district. However, local authorities, particularly the police, have labelled these devastating occurrences as mere “rumours.” Moreover, these reports could not be independently verified and one of the reasons being families of victims often refrain from coming forward due to fear of potential backlash from powerful mafia branded as ‘high level’.
