Shillong, Feb 16: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday made a suo-motu statement in the Assembly on the coal mine tragedy in Mynsngat-Thangsko area on February 5.
The chief minister informed that 33 miners have died , and ex gratia of Rs 24 lakh was disbursed to the 8 deceased. More disbursement of ex gratia will follow.
Seven people were arrested in connection with the incident.
The chief minister said, besides the Special Investigation Team, a task force was instituted by the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner to check illegal mining of coal.
Commenting on the judicial inquiry instituted by the government, the chief minister said the government was committed to stopping illegal mining of coal and transportation.
He said the judicial inquiry commission would look into all the aspects of the mining of coal.
Full text of the statement below
Suo-Motu Statement made under Rule 55 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, of the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the mining incident at Mynsngat Thangsko and subsequent actions
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to express my gratitude to you, for giving me this opportunity to make a suo-motu statement regarding the unfortunate incident which occurred at Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills District on 5th February, 2026, leading to the loss of many precious lives and injuring several others.
Sir, on the morning of 5th February, 2026, it was reported that an explosion occurred at an illegal coal mining site in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills District, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries.
The District Administration, District Police, SDRF, NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, and medical teams immediately launched coordinated search and rescue operations, during which 18 bodies were recovered on the first day, 4 bodies on 6th February, 2026 and 2 bodies on 7th February 2026. 8 (eight) injured persons were rescued, of whom 4 (four) later succumbed to injuries on the 6th, 9th 10th & 11th February 2026 at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong and Agie Hospital Beltola, Guwahati. Two deaths were reported by families on 6th February, 2026 which was verified by authorities. Sir, the total reported deaths as of today, the 16th February, 2026 is 33 (Thirty-Three) numbers.
Sir, I would like to state that relief measures and assistance were initiated to support the affected families. A total of Rs. 24,00,000/- (Twenty-Four Lakhs) has been disbursed to the next of kin of 8 (Eight) deceased persons. The process of disbursing ex-gratia relief to the remaining families and next of kin, is under way, with daily communication channel being maintained with the families for getting the requisite details.
After sustained operations and after due consultation with all rescue agencies in the Search and Rescue operation at Mynsngat Thangsko area was finally closed at 5:00 PM of 9th February 2026.
In connection with the incident a suo-motu FIR has been registered vide Khliehriat PS Case No. 14/2026 u/s 105/118(2)/3(5) BNS R/W Section 21/21(1) MMDR Act R/W Section 3 Explosives Substances Act.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed by the Director General of Police, Meghalaya. The SIT is headed by DIG (Eastern Range), comprising Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, Deputy Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills and other police officers has been formed on 12th February, 2026 to investigate the above case. It may be stated that seven persons have been arrested in relation to the above FIR.
The District Task Force headed by the Deputy Commissioner and comprising of Superintendent of Police, DFO (Territorial), District Transport Officer, District
Minning Officer and other officials has been monitoring the incident and taking a concerted effort to curb illegal mining and illegal transportation of coal. These include seizures of illegally mined coal, recovery of explosives, registration of FIRs, arrests, promulgation of prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS, and dismantling of cranes and allied machinery at the site to prevent resumption of illegal mining.
Sir, as per preliminary inputs received the explosion was likely caused by the use of explosive substances during illegal mining operations. The incident resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, and several persons were feared trapped inside the mine. The nature of the mining site, including unstable ground conditions, confined underground passages, debris, and the presence of machinery and explosives, posed serious risks both to survivors and to rescue personnel.
Sir, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS were promulgated in and around mining sites within East Jaintia Hills District to prevent obstruction of enforcement operations and deter illegal mining activities.
Consequent to the same, a team comprising of Executive Magistrate, Police Personnel and officials of Director of Mining Resources were constituted to step up enforcement drives on a daily basis. Notably 5 (Five) teams have been mobilised to conduct raids and seizure. We have also deputed 6 (six) Gazetted Officers, 8 (eight) Sub-Inspectors, and 4 (four) nos. of platoons of armed battalion force.
Apart from the main FIR related to the above incident, a total of 62 FIRs have been filed till date, out of which, 57 were filed after the incident, and five were filed prior to the incident. These 62 FIRs are related to illegal extraction of coal. Moreover,
5 FIRs were filed on illegal transportation of coal and 2 on seizure of explosives.
Further, a total of 7 (seven) persons have been arrested in these cases, till date, apart
from the 7 (seven) persons arrested in connection with the Mynsngat–Thangsko incident.
The total quantity of coal seized is 15,224.72 MT as on 14.02.2026. The process of dismantling of cranes and seizure of machinery for illegal coal mining has started with a total of 6 (six) cranes being dismantled till 13.02.2026 with the process of dismantling still ongoing. These actions are being taken under section 152 of BNSS. Sir further, a total of 6 (six) vehicles used in illegal transportation of coal have been seized till 13.02.2026. Further, the Police are also stepping up the use of drones to monitor the activities of illegal coal mining.
Sir, it may be stated that even prior to this incident, the District Administration and the Police have been taking action on illegal extraction of coal. In 2025, a total 4 no of cases were registered in connection with illegal extraction of coal, which were detected using drones. A total of 11,182 MT of illegal coal was seized, including machinery like cranes and generators, which were used for illegal extraction of coal.
Sir, the State Government has decided to undertake a comprehensive investigation into this incident by forming a Judicial Enquiry Commission under Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 that has been notified on 14th February, 2026. The terms of reference of the Commission are:
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 prior to it was banned by 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.
Sir, this Commission is being headed by Justice (Retired) R. S. Chauhan, former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court and Telangana High Court, as Chairperson, with two members, namely Shri H. Nongpluh, IPS (Retd.) and Shri Peter Dkhar, IAS (Retd.) The Commission has been given a time of 6 (six) months to submit the inquiry report.
Sir, with State Government is committed towards ensuring that illegal coal mining and illegal transportation does not go unchecked. It is this Government that has taken steps to ensure that scientific mining is also taken up with three approvals already obtained for scientific mining, and 20 more being forwarded to the Government of India which are at advanced stage of receiving clearances. The judicial commission of inquiry, as per the terms of reference will undertake not only an investigation of the incident that occurred on 5th February, 2026 but will examine the root cause of illegal mining and suggest measures, which will as per the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 again be placed in this August House”.
