Shillong, Feb 14: Justice (Retd.) RS Chauhan has been appointed the Chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission to examine the Mynsngat-Thangsko mine blast incident and the related coal mining issues.
The commission will have two members- H. Nongpluh, IPS (Retd.) and P.S. Dkhar, IAS (Retd.), to probe the incident.
The terms of reference also include the need to probe the cause of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, a financial package for the miners and exemption from the President of India on traditional forms of mining, besides investigating the case of Mynsngat-Thangsko in particular.
The full text of the notification is below
GOVERNMENT OF MEGHALAYA
HOME (POLITICAL) DEPARTMENT
ORDERS BY THE GOVERNOR
NO.POL.18/2026/7
Dated Shillong, the 14th February, 2026
NOTIFICATION
1. “Whereas reports have been received regarding the incident which occurred on the 5th February, 2026, at a coal mine at Mynsngat-Thangsko Village, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya.
2. And whereas, having regard to the aforesaid facts and the larger issues arising out of illegal coal mining and the consequent loss of human life, the State Government considers it necessary to institute an inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952);
3. Now therefore, in exercise of the power conferred by Section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), the Governor is pleased to appoint a Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice (Retd.) R.S. Chauhan, who would be the Chairman of the Commission, and consisting of members, Shri. H. Nongpluh, IPS (Retd.) and Shri. P.S. Dkhar, IAS (Retd.), to inquire into the incident at Mynsngat-Thangsko Village, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, under the terms of reference below:
a) To inquire into the circumstances leading to the incident dated 05.02.2026 in the coal mine(s) located at Mynsngat-Thangsko Village, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya;
b) To submit a comprehensive fact-finding report on the acts and/or omissions of the persons and/or authorities concerned, including any failure to prevent the occurrence of the incident on 05.02.2026;
c) To examine the root causes of illegal coal mining in the State of Meghalaya, including but not limited to the working conditions of labourers and miners whose livelihoods depend on coal mining;
d) To recommend remedial measures, including administrative and institutional reforms, to be adopted by the Government of Meghalaya to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future;
e) To suggest appropriate measures, including financial package(s) or rehabilitation scheme(s), for persons whose livelihood depended on coal mining before it was banned by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal in Original Application No. 73/2014 vide order dated 17.02.2014; and
f) To suggest as to whether the Government of Meghalaya ought to approach Her Excellency the President of India for any relaxation /modification/exception in application of the provisions of the Mines and Mineral Development Act, 1957 or any other applicable law passed by the Parliament under Para 12(A)(b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in view of the traditional practices of mining prevalent in the State of Meghalaya.
4. The Commission may submit its report embodying the findings and its recommendations thereon to the State Government within a period of 6 (Six) months from the date of this notification.
5. The Commission shall formulate its own procedure, and may give to all concerned such notice of Inquiry and all the procedures formulated by it as it may consider necessary and proper.
6. The place for the conduct of the proceedings shall be Shillong unless otherwise directed by the Commission.
7. Having regard to the nature of the enquiry to be made and other circumstances of the case, it is also directed that the Provisions of Sub-Sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Section 5 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 be made applicable to the Commission.
8. The Commission may be assisted by such officials, experts or bodies as it may require in connection with the Inquiry. All the powers provided to the Commission under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952) shall be available to the Commission.
9. Expenditure incurred with respect to this Commission of Inquiry will be borne by the Mining & Geology Department, Government of Meghalaya”.
By order of the Governor,
Sd/-(Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS) Chief Secretary Government of Meghalaya
The notification
