3 months ago
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GUWAHATI
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma connected Monday (February 16, 2026) said 57 archetypal accusation reports (FIRs) connected amerciable ember extraction were registered aft the February 5 detonation successful a rat-hole excavation that killed 33 miners.
Five further FIRs connected amerciable proscription of ember and 2 relating to seizure of explosives were besides registered aft the fatal blast successful the Mynsngat-Thangsko country of East Jaintia Hills district, helium told the 60-member Assembly.
Presenting the enforcement figures successful a statement, the Chief Minister said 15,224.72 metric tonnes of illegally mined ember were seized aft the ember excavation incident. While 7 radical were arrested successful the detonation case, 7 others were arrested successful transportation with different coal-related amerciable activities.
Eradication of amerciable mining
“The State Government is committed to ensuring that amerciable ember mining and amerciable proscription is stopped,” helium said, informing the House that drones were being utilized to show the mining areas wherever enforcement teams proceed to scout the terrain.
Putting the decease toll astatine 33, Mr. Sangma said unstable crushed conditions, confined underground passages, debris, and the beingness of machinery and explosives posed superior risks to the survivors of the ember excavation blast and rescue personnel.
He said the State authorities notified a judicial enquiry committee nether the Commission of Inquiry Act of 1952 connected February 14, 2 days aft a Special Investigation Team of the constabulary was constituted to analyse the case.
Earlier, Governor C.H. Vijayashankar told the House that the State was moving “steadily” towards regulated and sustainable mining, with 3 projects having received last support and 20 much applications astatine precocious stages of clearance.
The National Green Tribunal banned the hazardous rat-hole ember mining successful April 2014. The prohibition was upheld by the Supreme Court later.
