Shillong, Feb 16: Following the February 5 Thangsko coal mine disaster, which claimed more than 30 lives, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma addressed the Assembly on the issue today at the start of the Budget Session.
Sangma stated that his government, which has come under enormous criticism for its failure to wipe out illegal coal mining in the state, is committed to ensuring that illegal coal mining and transportation does not go unchecked.
“It is this government that has taken steps to ensure that scientific mining is also taken up with three approvals already obtained for scientific mining and 20 more being forwarded to the government of India which are at advanced stage of receiving clearances,” Sangma informed.
The CM also mentioned that it has formed a judicial inquiry to probe the Thangsko tragedy and wider matters pertaining to illegal mining. The police have also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Thangsko explosion.
The commission’s terms of reference include looking into the circumstances leading to the incident and submit a fact-finding report on the acts and/or omissions of the persons and/or authorities concerned, including any failure to prevent the occurrence of the incident.
Sangma also stated that the commission will examine the root causes of illegal coal mining in the state, including the working conditions of labourers and miners whose livelihoods depend on coal mining.
The commission will also recommend remedial measures, including administrative and institutional reforms to be adopted by the state to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. It will also suggest appropriate measures, including financial packages or rehabilitation schemes for persons whose livelihood depended on coal mining prior to it was banned by the National Green Tribunal in 2014.
The commission will also suggest as to whether the government of Meghalaya ought to approach the President of India for any relaxation, modification or exception in application of the provisions of the Mines and Mineral Development Act 1957 or any other applicable law passed by the Parliament under Para 12(A)(b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in view of the traditional practices of mining prevalent in the state.
The inquiry is led by retired Judge RS Chauhan, with retired senior police officer H Nongpluh and retired civil servant Peter Dkhar as members. It has been given six months to submit its report.
Much of what Sangma said has already been made public. However, he did inform that, as part of the government’s actions to crack down on illegal mining, six cranes used in illegal mining operations have been dismantled up to February 13 with the process of dismantling others still ongoing.
Also a total of six vehicles used in illegal transportation of coal have been seized and police are also stepping up the use of drones to monitor the activities of illegal coal mining.
He also told the House that even prior to this incident, the district administration and the police have been taking action on illegal extraction of coal.
In 2025, a total of four cases were registered in connection with illegal extraction of coal, which were detected using drones.
“A total of 11,182 MT of illegal coal was seized, including machinery like cranes and generators, which were used for illegal extraction of coal,” Sangma said.
