SHILLONG, FEB 9: Justice BP Katakey, who is heading the Meghalaya High Court-appointed committee, has expressed grave concerns over the recent explosion in East Jaintia Hills, warning that the ‘use of dynamite’ in rampant illegal coal mining operations may lead to further tragedies, claiming 27 lives so far.
“It is very disturbing as they are starting to use dynamite for the purpose (of illegal coal mining). Earlier, what they used to do is that they send the people in, dig and take out (the coal) but now they have started using dynamite so that they can mine more coal within a short period of time,” Justice Katakey said.
“Going by the extent of illegal activities I have seen on the way to that site and also the new methodology they have adopted the use of dynamite, I am afraid that such types of incidents may soon occur again,” he warned.
He emphasized that the district administration and police are responsible for protecting the lives of innocent laborers and must take action against coal mine owners.
“I told the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police that nothing doing you have act. 27 bodies have been recovered. You are responsible for protecting the lives of these innocent people. These are the innocent labourers, you have to take action against the coal mine owners,” Justice Katakey said adding “It is a good thing that they have started acting on it and based on that they have recovered large number of detonators under Umpleng police station from an area called cement bazaar and then also from Mynsngat village, they have also recovered some detonators which are supposed to be used for mining activities.”
Justice Katakey visited the accident site on February 6 and witnessed widespread illegal mining activities.
“I reached the accident site around 1 pm on February 6 and was appalled to see full-blown illegal mining activities everywhere, not just at the site but also on both sides of the road leading to it,” Katakey said.
“I interviewed labourers who revealed they’ve been mining coal here for 16-20 years.”
He further narrated that the very disturbing factor is that this is happening just 10 kilometres from Khliehriat, and nobody has seen it.
“Everybody can see it — except the administrators,” the chairman of the committee remarked, highlighting the administrative blind spot.
According to officials, 27 bodies have been recovered, but relatives of missing persons fear the death toll could be higher.
“They said there are more than the dead bodies recovered, who have gone inside the illegal coal mine,” Justice Katakey added.
He further directed authorities including the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to seize materials and take action, stressing responsibility must be fixed and mine owners brought to book.
Justice Katakey has welcomed the court’s directive for the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills to appear in person, saying it’s a step in the right direction.
“It’s a good thing that the High Court has directed their personal appearance,” Katakey said. “They should be told that what has happened is unacceptable, and any further illegal activities will not be tolerated.”
Asked, Justice Katakey expressed concerns that the use of dynamite in illegal coal mining is a common practice, citing recoveries from various places.
“The blasting incident is the second time, and I’m sure other districts may follow suit, leading to a horrified situation,” he warned.
“The district administration must act decisively to prevent such incidents,” Justice Katakey emphasized, urging stringent measures to curb illegal coal mining in Meghalaya.
