SHILLONG, FEB 15: As many as 14 persons have been arrested after 62 first information reports (FIRs) was filed against illegal extraction of coal in East Jaintia Hills district.
Enforcement action against illegal coal mining in the district has sharply escalated since the Mynsngat-Thangsko blast incident, which claimed over 30 lives.
According to report submitted in connection with National Green Tribunal (NGT) proceedings, figures compiled as of February 14, show that police have registered 62 first-information reports (FIRs) for illegal extraction of coal, including five filed before the Mynsngat-Thangsko blast.
An additional five FIRs relate to illegal transportation of coal, and two to seizures of explosives suspected to be used for mining.
So far, 14 people have been arrested across four cases.
Of this, 7 persons have been arrested in connection with the Mynsngat-Thangsko blast incident and they have been identified as Forme Chyrmang, Shameki War, Process Phawa, Tensing Suchiang, Yoomiki Syih, Ernest Swer, Rangsing Syiemlieh alias Mithun.
“Ernest and Mithun are now in police custody,” district police chief Vikash Kumar said.
The arrested accused in the other three cases have been identified as Sahanaj Uddin and Abansan Syrti (Umthe case), Narayan Majumdar, Salim Uddin Choudhury and Safrul Islam Choudhury (Umpleng case) and Rishna Sutnga and Skhemborlang Kshiar (in Umkiang case).
Authorities have also seized 15,224.72 metric tonnes of assessed coal, with more material awaiting evaluation by the Department of Mineral Resources.
Seizures further include five vehicles, 25.5 kg of gelatin explosives and 74 detonators.
The crackdown follows heightened scrutiny of rat-hole mining in Meghalaya, where the NGT’s 2014 ban remains in force.
Meanwhile, the state government has named retired RS Chauhan as chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission to investigate into the Mynsngat-Thangsko coal mine blast and broader illegal mining concerns in the state.
The Commission will cover not just the Thangsko incident but also why illegal coal miing persists in Meghalaya, the feasibiity of a financial package for miners, and possibilities of a presidential exemption for tradtinal mining practices.
Also, the Director General of Police (DGP) has ordered for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the blast inside the illegal coal mine stating, “The SIT will ensure investigation is brought to its logical conclusion and…justice in accordance with law.”
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