SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government on Tuesday said it will strictly follow legal protocols and verification procedures before disbursing ex-gratia compensation to families of labourers who died in the recent coal mining tragedy at Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills.
The government’s cautious approach follows a formal demand by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), which has urged authorities to thoroughly verify the identity and nationality of the deceased before releasing any financial assistance.
Responding to queries, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the administration is currently prioritising the completion of rescue and recovery operations.
“All details will be clear once the recovery process is completed. We urge everyone to remain patient as bodies are still being retrieved,” Dhar told reporters.
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When asked whether the government would investigate the origins of the victims, Dhar said determining whether they were locals or outsiders would be handled separately and strictly in accordance with the law.
He emphasised that no compensation would be released without following the established policy framework, adding that the final list of beneficiaries and their backgrounds would be disclosed only after official verification and documentation are completed.
The state also plans to verify the citizenship status of the deceased workers to ensure compliance with existing regulations.
Meanwhile, the district administration, led by the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, continues to supervise operations at the site, where 27 bodies have been recovered so far. Dhar reiterated that while the government remains committed to transparency, it will not bypass necessary checks and balances.
“We have a clear policy for such incidents. The public will be informed of all facts once recovery efforts conclude and detailed verification is complete,” he said.
