Shillong, Feb 9: The Meghalaya High Court said it was distressed with reports of rampant illegal coal mining in East Jaintia Hills and observed that this reflects the dereliction of duties by authorities concerned.
A division bench of Justice Hamarsan Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, after perusing the 36th interim report filed by Justice (retd) Brojendra Prasad Katakey on the illegal mining of coal in Meghalaya, said, “…it appears with impunity to the orders of the Court and the Rule of Law.”
Katakey, who visited the Mynsngat Thangsko explosion site last week, in his submission, shared photographs and information received relating to casualties in the incident with the court.
The court said photographs show that there has been rampant mining in adjoining areas, such as Mopala and Sakhain villages, as well as in the other nearby areas.
“This Court makes it clear that accountability will be fixed, and if necessary further orders will be passed for the institution of a proper investigation and inquiry, by an independent or central agency,” it said.
Meanwhile, East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar appeared before the High Court today and submitted a status report with regard to the steps taken after the blast at Thangsko.
The court said the report highlighted shortage of personnel, apart from the steps taken of registering a case and arrest of two persons. The court directed the district heads to also include investigation into the death of a mine worker from Assam on January 14, 2026 at Thangsko.
“This Court at this stage will not pass any detailed orders but directs for a detailed report to be filed within 10 days as to the further steps taken in the entire District with regard to the illegal mining sites, seizure of illegal mining equipment and arrest of persons involved in the illegal rat-hole mining, especially at Mynsngat Thangsko,” the court said.
It said further orders will be passed with regard to the award of further compensation, after the report is received.
The next hearing will be held on February 19.
