SHILLONG: The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills appeared before the Meghalaya High Court on Friday in connection with the February 5 coal mine explosion at Thangsko village, which has so far claimed the lives of 27 miners.
East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar declined to divulge details of the investigation, stating that the matter is sub judice. However, he informed the court that search and rescue operations are still ongoing at the accident site.
He informed that investigation is on and the two people, suspected to be the owners of the illegal mine, are in police net.
The High Court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of media reports regarding the explosion at the illegal coal mine in Thangsko village and sought an explanation from the district authorities.
ALSO READ: Police Seize Explosives, Massive Stockpile of Illegal Coal in East Jaintia Hills
The court directed both the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to submit detailed reports on the action taken and to explain why illegal mining activities were allowed to continue despite repeated warnings and past incidents.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Hamarsan Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh observed, “This Court is constrained to take judicial notice of these reports. It is not understood how illegal coal mining continues in this area despite the reported loss of life in an incident that occurred on January 14, 2026.”
The bench expressed serious concern over the persistent violations and emphasized the need for strict enforcement and accountability to prevent further loss of life.
