Shillong, Feb 7: In the wake of the situation arising out the blast in an illegal coalmining in East Jaintia Hills, the District Magistrate of East Jaintia Hills District Manish Kumar exercise of the powers conferred under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitah as prohibited and imposed a complete ban, with immediate effect, on:
Assembly or gathering of more than 5 persons in and around illegal mining sites and operation areas at Thangsko except for official engaged in lawful government duties.
All Magistrates deployed for enforcement shall exercise strict vigilance and conduct inspections throughout Thangsko areas, and shall:
Seize vehicles, machinery, tools, and equipment used in illegal mining; and
Initiate appropriate legal proceedings against offenders under the relevant provisions of law, including the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and allied rules.
The concerned Magistrates, with police assistance, shall, Identify, apprehend, and cause arrest of mine owners, operators, financiers, and all persons involved in illegal mining activities. Seize and secure all incriminating materials connected with such activities.
Any violation of this order shall attract strict penal action under the relevant provisions of law. In view of urgency, this order is hereby passed ex-parte and it shall come into force with immediate effect and until further orders.
The incident involving an explosion at an illegal coal mine occurred on the morning of February 5 at Mynsngat, Thangsko Village, under Umpleng Police Outpost, East Jaintia Hills District, resulted in loss of human at least 27human lives so farbeside
The High Court of Meghalaya, in its judgement on February 5 took judicial notice of explosions in three illegal coal mines leading to fatalities and injuries, and directed the authorities to take immediate, effective, and stringent action against all persons involved in illegal mining activities.
The District Magistrate of the EJH in a statement informed to have received credible complaints and reports from local residents and through social media indicating the continuing prevalence of illegal mining and unlawful extraction of minor minerals in the Thangsko area and that there exists a serious likelihood of obstruction to lawful enforcement by certain individuals or groups during operations against illegal mining activities, including dismantling of machinery, destruction of makeshift camps, sealing of mining sites, and seizure of vehicles and equipment.
