Shillong, Feb 5: The Meghalaya High Court summoned the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police on February 9 and ordered immediate identification and arrest of owners and operators of the illegal coal mine at Thangsko where 18 miners died in a mine explosion.
Taking suo motu cognisance of news reports of an explosion at an illegal coal mine in Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills today, a Division Bench of Justice Hamarsan Thangkhiew and Wanlura Diengdoh said, “This Court is constrained to take judicial notice of these reports. It is not understood as to how illegal coal mining is continuing in this area in spite of the reported loss of life of one person in an incident that occurred on 14-01-2026.”
The court directed both the district heads to place before it details of the action taken and to furnish reasons as to why the situation has been allowed to continue.
It also ordered immediate assistance and medical aid to the affected and injured persons.
PM, CM announce relief, ‘comprehensive’ probe ordered
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the explosion at an illegal coal mine in Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the family of the deceased, while the injured would be given Rs 50,000.
“Pained by the mishap in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” the Prime Minister’s Office posted on X.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also condoled the death of the miners and announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh for next of kin of the deceased in the tragedy.
“The government of Meghalaya has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. Accountability will be fixed, and those responsible will face strict legal action. There will be no compromise when it comes to the safety of lives,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Sangma informed that the State government has deputed Cabinet Ministers, Lahkmen Rymbui and Wailadmiki Shylla to visit the site on Friday.
