By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 12: Usually vocal about coal related illegalities in the state under the NPP-led MDA Government, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H. Pala on Thursday adopted a softer stance and refrained from directly blaming the state government for the recent coal mine blast at Mynsngat-Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills, which claimed 32 lives and left several workers injured.
Pala said accidents can occur anywhere and stopped short of holding the government directly responsible for the incident.
His remarks come as a surprise, given his consistent criticism of illegal coal mining activities in the state.
Pala, a former Union Minister and Member of Parliament who hails from Lamyrsiang village, located close to the coal belt, has in the past been vocal against rampant illegal mining and has accused those in power of enabling and benefiting from irregularities in the coal sector.
However, the MPCC chief clarified that he would not attribute the recent blast solely to the state government.
“Accidents can happen anywhere,” he said, while maintaining that the larger issue lies in how the government has handled illegal coal mining.
He alleged that the ruling National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), before coming to power, had promised to resume coal mining within six months — a commitment that, according to him, created expectations among the public and may have indirectly fuelled illegal mining activities.
“You may recall that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had promised to resume coal mining within six months of coming to power,” Pala said. He also pointed out that a coalition partner in the MDA 2.0 government had similarly declared in its election manifesto that coal mining would restart in Meghalaya within 180 days.
“These promises were reiterated in places such as Byndihati and Nongstoin, giving people hope that the issue would be resolved quickly. Unfortunately, these assurances have not been fulfilled, betraying the trust of the people,” he added.
Pala contended that the government’s “mixed signals” on coal mining have created confusion, particularly among communities dependent on the sector for their livelihoods.
