SHILLONG: The shadows of illegal coal mining have returned to haunt Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills. Justice B.P. Katakey (Retired), the head of the High Court-appointed committee monitoring coal issues, has issued a stern ultimatum to the District Police following the mysterious death of a labourer inside a coal pit.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Jaintia Hills has been ordered to submit a comprehensive, detailed report by Monday regarding the death of a 48-year-old worker from Assam.
The victim, identified as Mosaid Ali of Hojai district, Assam, reportedly lost his life on January 14, 2026. The incident took place in a mining area known as Umthe, located within the Sutnga Elaka—a region long synonymous with the controversial “rat-hole” mining practices.
While the police have officially registered a case, the exact circumstances of Ali’s death have sent shockwaves through the administration, suggesting that the ban on illegal mining is being brazenly flouted.
The investigation has taken a dramatic turn with the emergence of video footage showing powerful explosions in the area.
Justice Katakey confirmed he has received these videos, which depict heavy blasting.
Police are now racing to verify if these videos are recent and if the blasts are directly linked to the death of Mosaid Ali.
“I have received information regarding the death… The police have confirmed the incident and registered a case. We are now awaiting the full written report to determine the gravity of the illegal activity,” Justice Katakey told reporters.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Justice Katakey has also demanded a “threadbare” report on a separate dynamite explosion that rocked the same district on December 23, 2025.
The repeated reports of blasting and deaths highlight a grim reality: illegal mining and transportation are still active in Meghalaya, despite strict prohibitions by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court.
All eyes are now on the Monday deadline. The written report from the SP is expected to reveal whether the death occurred inside an illegal “rat-hole” mine.
