By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 10: The East Jaintia Hills Police on Tuesday arrested two more coal mine owners in connection with the deadly blast at the illegal coal mine in Thangsko, including a major player identified as Process Dkhar @ Prakash (resident of Sutnga, East Jaintia Hills), who is believed to be the actual owner of the mine where the incident occurred.
The other arrested person was Tensing Suchiang of Umlawang village, East Jaintia Hills.
Meanwhile, East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police, Vikash Kumar informed that the two accused coal miners—Forme Chyrmang (36) of Jalaphet Pordung village and Shamehi War (42) of Sutnga Pohwailong village were remanded in 14-day judicial custody by the court on Monday.
“We had sought further police custody, but the court remanded both accused to judicial custody,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Manish Kumar, confirmed that the death toll from the blast has risen to 30 following the deaths of two more injured victims who were undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam.
He stated that the district administration is processing ex-gratia payments to the next of kin of the deceased. So far, families of eight victims have received compensation, while verification of bank account details of the remaining families is underway to expedite disbursement.
The district administration has intensified enforcement drives over the past four days to curb illegal coal mining.
As of Monday, Kumar said that a total of 34 FIRs have been registered, coal and mining equipment seized, and several illegal mining sites shut down. The operations are being carried out with the support of a District Task Force and are continuing.
Instructions have been issued to the District Transport Office, District Mining Office, and other concerned departments to initiate all possible actions against illegal mining activities.
Authorities also confirmed that a thorough search of the Thangsko mine has been completed. Joint assessments by teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and SRT found no remaining labourers or bodies inside the mine. The search operation was officially called off at 5 pm on Monday.
On Tuesday, the District Task Force convened a high-level meeting attended by officials from the District Mining Office, District Transport Office, all Additional Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, the Superintendent of Police, and other senior police officers to discuss measures to completely halt illegal coal mining in East Jaintia Hills in the coming weeks.
The district administration plans to use drones for surveillance and also shifting seized coal to designated coal depot for immediate auction, and ensuring that no illegal mining activities resume in the district.
