By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 9: The High Court of Meghalaya on Monday expressed deep concern over the persistent failure of authorities to stop rampant illegal rat-hole coal mining in East Jaintia Hills, describing the 36th Interim Report of the Justice (retd) B.P. Katakey Committee as “distressing” and indicative of serious lapses and dereliction of duty.
The Division Bench, comprising Justices Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew and Wanlura Diengdoh, warned that accountability would be fixed and that it may order a probe by an independent or central agency if the situation demands it.
The observations followed the appearance of East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar before the court, in response to its February 5 directive. The court had taken suo motu cognisance of the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in the Mynsngat-Thangsko area, which claimed 30 lives and left at least eight severely injured.
The Court noted that the Katakey committee’s 36th interim report, based on a site visit and accompanied by photographs and casualty details, painted a grim picture. It highlighted extensive illegal mining not only at Thangsko but also in nearby villages such as Mopala and Sakhain, carried out in blatant violation of the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2014 ban, and the rule of law. The photographs reportedly revealed rampant activity in defiance of repeated directives.
A status report from the district administration cited manpower shortages but confirmed the registration of a criminal case and the arrest of two persons in connection with the February 5 incident. The court, however, found it inadequate, noting serious concerns over enforcement failures.
While refraining from passing detailed orders at this stage, the Court directed the authorities to submit a comprehensive report within 10 days, detailing actions taken across the district to curb illegal mining. This must include information on identifying and shutting illegal sites, seizing mining equipment, arresting those involved (especially in the Mynsngat-Thangsko area), and the status of the investigation into an earlier January 14 incident in the same area, where a labourer from Assam was killed in an explosion.
The Court also directed that a copy of the Katakey Committee’s 36th interim report be provided to the Advocate General. It dispensed with the East Jaintia Hills DC’s personal appearance for now but required the Superintendent of Police to remain present at the next hearing on February 19.
