SHILLONG: A massive controversy is erupting in Meghalaya as Justice (retd) B.P. Katakey officially stepped in to demand answers regarding a suspected fatal dynamite explosion in East Jaintia Hills. With conflicting claims of a “cover-up” and viral videos causing public outcry, the one-man committee head has given the Police Headquarters a strict deadline: Submit a detailed report by Friday.
The Deadly Mystery at Thangsko
The incident, which reportedly took place on December 23 at Thangsko (Mynsngat) village, has been shrouded in a thick veil of secrecy. While district authorities initially denied any such event, troubling details are now emerging.
Two Fatalities Reported: Sources claim a suspected Bangladeshi national died instantly at the scene.
A 34-year-old victim, Ashok Tamang, succumbed to severe burn injuries at Shillong Civil Hospital on New Year’s Day. Hospital records explicitly link his injuries to a blasting incident on the morning of December 23.
Coal or Stone? A Question of Jurisdiction
Justice Katakey, appointed by the High Court to tackle illegal coal mining, is determined to find the truth.
”Somebody has informed me that the blast occurred in the coal mine itself,” Katakey stated, though he noted that if it was a stone quarry, it falls outside his specific mandate. He admitted to being “confused” by photos of the site which, curiously, showed no visible coal.
The Police Denial vs. Activist Proof
Despite the hospital records, East Jaintia Hills SP Vikas Kumar has stood firm, maintaining that no such blast occurred in the district. He dismissed viral videos of the incident as being from another region, claiming that local village headmen have no information.
However, CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing isn’t buying it. After personally inspecting the police booth register at the hospital, she confirmed Tamang’s admission details. Kharshiing has slammed the authorities, alleging a deliberate attempt to conceal the tragedy and demanding immediate accountability for the lives lost.
What’s Next?
All eyes are now on the Police Headquarters. The report, expected by January 8th or 9th, will determine if this was a tragic accident in a stone quarry or a lethal explosion within the dark world of illegal coal mining.
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