Shillong, Feb 19:The High Court of Meghalaya has asked the former East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police, Vikash Kumar, to be present in the court on February 24, along with Pankaj Rasgania, who has taken over charge as the SP of the district, when it takes up the illegal coal mining in Mynsngat-Thangsko that claimed 34 lives.
The new SP was present in the court on Thursday.
According to the state disaster management authority, the toll rose to 34 after the local miner Shanki Shullai succumbed to his injuries on February 18.
With this, four miners from the state died following the incident.
During the hearing of the pending PIL, the division bench comprising Justices W Diengdoh and HS Thangkhiew observed that in compliance with the order of the court on February 9, a status report on behalf of the state respondents has been submitted just now, when the matter is taken up, and the same is placed before the court.
A cursory glance shows that the report is exhaustive and requires a minute examination by the court, and before any further necessary and effective orders are passed, thereon.
The matter will come up for hearing on February 24 for further orders.
