Shillong, Feb 5: The High Court of Meghalaya wanted the immediate arrest of coal mine owners and operators following the incident of dynamite explosion in a mine in East Jaintia Hills on Friday resulting in the death of 18 workers.
The court also has asked both the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to appear before the court on February 9 after taking action against those involved in the ilegal mining operations.
While the bodies of 18 coal mine workers were recovered from the mine, one of the injured is undergoing treatment.
The division bench comprising Justices W. Diengdoh and HS.Thangkhiew made these observations while taking up the pending PIL on coal mining issues after the 35th interim report was submitted by the court-appointed one-man committee headed by retired Justice BP Katakey..
The bench said, “This Court this evening itself, has come to learn from various electronic media reports, that there has been a mining tragedy again in Thangkso East Jaintia Hills, wherein, it is reported that there has been explosion in three illegal coal mines which has resulted in the loss of life and injuries to several persons. This Court is constrained to take judicial notice of these reports. It is not understood as to how illegal coal mining is continuing in this area inspite of the reported loss of life of one person in an incident that occurred on 14-01-2026”.
The court directed that the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills to take immediate action to identify and cause arrest of the mine owners, operators and to seize all incriminating materials.
“Immediate assistance and medical aid to the affected/injured persons should be extended to the extent possible. It is further directed that the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, shall appear in person on 09-02-2026 at 10.30 AM before this Court, with the details of the action taken and to furnish reasons as to why the situation has been allowed to continue. In the event there is no compliance, further orders will follow”, the court said.
“A copy of this order will be communicated today itself to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills by the Registry through email and hard copy. A copy of this order to also be furnished to the learned Advocate General by today itself. List this matter on 09.02.2026”, the bench added.
