Shillong, Feb 11: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Meghalaya Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report on the death of mine workers after a blast at an illegal coal mine in Thangsko, East Jaintia Hill district.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, the NHRC said the report has to be filed within two weeks.
The report is expected to include status of rescue operation, compensation to the aggrieved families and police investigation as well as the steps to stop recurrence of such incidents, the human rights panel said.
Additionally, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked authorities to submit their replies by May 19.
In an order on February 6, the Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr A Senthil Vel, Expert Member issued the notice to the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Integrated Regional Office, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), and Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills district.
The NGT observed that the incident, reportedly caused by a dynamite explosion in an illegally operated rat-hole coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district, raises serious concerns regarding continued violation of environmental laws despite a long-standing ban on such mining activities by the NGT, upheld by the Supreme Court.
It also noted possible violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
The tribunal referred to claims by activists cited in the report that illegal mining operations had continued despite a blanket ban imposed by the NGT in April 2014 on rat-hole mining and coal transportation — a prohibition later upheld by the Supreme Court. According to the report, illegal mine operators allegedly continued activities with the backing of politicians and other influential individuals.
