33 deaths, more than 60 FIRs have been filed and many arrested: CM to House in suo motu statement
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 16: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday said that the state government is firmly committed to checking illegal coal mining and transportation, even as he announced a series of enforcement measures and the constitution of a Judicial Inquiry Commission to probe the February 5 coal mine blast at Mynsngat-Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills.
Making a suo motu statement on the first day of the budget session of the Assembly, the chief minister reiterated the government’s broader strategy, stating that while illegal mining will be dealt with strictly, scientific mining is being facilitated in the state.
Three proposals have already received approval, and 20 more are at an advanced stage of clearance with the government of India.
“We are committed to ensuring that illegal coal mining and illegal transportation do not go unchecked. At the same time, we are taking steps to promote scientific mining within the legal framework,” Sangma said.
He maintained that the government’s approach combines strict enforcement against illegal activities, with institutional reforms and regulated mining practices to ensure safety, sustainability and livelihood security.
Moreover, the government has decided to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident under the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. The notification constituting the panel was issued on February 14.
The Commission will be headed by Justice R.S. Chauhan, former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court and Telangana High Court, as chairperson. The other two members are retired IAS officer Peter Dkhar and retired IPS officer H. Nongpluh. The Commission has been given six months to submit its report to the government.
The terms of reference of the Commission include enquiring into the circumstances leading to the February 5 incident at the coal mines located in Mynsngat-Thangsko village; submitting a comprehensive fact-finding report on the acts and/or omissions of individuals and authorities concerned, including any failure to prevent the occurrence of the incident; and examining the root causes of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, including the working conditions of labourers and miners dependent on coal for their livelihood.
The terms of reference also include recommending remedial measures, including administrative and institutional reforms, to prevent the recurrence of such incidents; suggesting appropriate financial packages or rehabilitation schemes for those whose livelihoods were affected by the ban on coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2014; and advising whether the state government should approach the President of India for any relaxation, modification or exception under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, or other relevant laws under Paragraph 12(A)(b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, considering the traditional mining practices prevalent in the state.
According to the chief minister, the commission’s findings will be placed before the Assembly as mandated under the Act.
Detailing the actions taken so far, Sangma said that a District Task Force headed by the Deputy Commissioner, comprising the Superintendent of Police, Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial), District Transport Officer, District Mining Officer and other officials, has been closely monitoring the situation and intensifying enforcement measures.
He said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS have been promulgated in and around mining areas of East Jaintia Hills to prevent obstruction of enforcement operations and deter illegal mining activities.
Five enforcement teams have been mobilised to conduct daily raids and seizures. The government has also deputed six gazetted officers, eight sub-inspectors and four platoons of armed battalion personnel to strengthen the operations.
As of February 14, a total of 62 FIRs have been registered in connection with illegal extraction of coal, of which 57 were filed after the incident and five before it. Additionally, five FIRs were registered for illegal transportation of coal and two for seizure of explosives.
A total of 15,224.72 metric tonnes (MT) of illegally extracted coal has been seized. Six cranes used in illegal mining operations have been dismantled, and the dismantling process is going on under Section 152 of the BNSS. Six vehicles used for illegal transportation have also been seized.
Seven persons have been arrested in connection with the main FIR related to the Mynsngat-Thangsko incident, while another seven have been arrested in separate cases linked to illegal mining and transportation.
The chief minister also stated that drones are being increasingly deployed to detect illegal mining activities. In 2025 alone, four cases were registered based on drone detection, and 11,182 MT of illegal coal, along with machinery such as cranes and generators used for illegal extractions, were seized.
Sangma informed the House that the explosion at an illegal coal mining site in Mynsngat-Thangsko on the morning of February 5 was likely caused by the use of explosive substances during illegal mining operations.
The district administration, police, SDRF, NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services and medical teams immediately launched coordinated search and rescue operations. A total of 18 bodies were recovered on the first day, four on February 6 and two on February 7. Eight injured persons were rescued, of whom four later succumbed to their injuries at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, and a hospital in Guwahati. Authorities subsequently verified two additional deaths reported by families.
As of February 16, the total death toll stands at 33, the chief minister informed.
The search and rescue operations were formally closed at 5 pm on February 9 after sustained efforts and consultations with all rescue agencies. A suo motu FIR has been registered at Khliehriat Police Station under relevant provisions of the BNS, the MMDR Act and the Explosive Substances Act. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the DIG (Eastern Range) and comprising senior district police officials, was constituted on February 12 to investigate the case.
