HC panel seeks report from M’laya police on death of two miners

A one-member panel appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to handle coal-related issues on Monday sought a report from Meghalaya police on the reported death of two coal miners in an illegal mine in East Jaintia Hills district.
“I have sought a report about the deaths from Meghalaya police this morning. Based on the findings of the report, appropriate action would be taken,” Justice (retired) Brojendra Prasad Katakey said.
Vikash Kumar, the district police chief of East Jaintia Hills, in his response said, “Yes we have been asked to submit a report on the reported deaths and so we are conducting the inquiry and we will be submitting the report to the committee within two-days.”
The coal miners were reportedly killed and many sustained grievous injuries due to an explosion in an illegal coal mine in Thangsko village under East Jaintia Hills district on December 23. One of the miners reportedly died on December 23 and the other miner identified as Ashok Tamang succumbed to injuries at the Shillong Civil hospital. A viral video of the victims is in circulation.
“Tamang was admitted to the male surgical ward of Shillong Civil Hospital. The bed number was 32,” Meghalaya-based rights activist Agnes Kharshiing, who survived an assault by the coal mafia, said.
A police official posted at Civil hospital, Shillong Police Booth confirmed that one patient named Ashok Tamang brought from East Jaintia Hills district succumbed to his injuries at male surgical ward, bed number 32.”
Interestingly, the police official refused to divulge further details of the deceased person saying that the matter has been reported to Sadar Police Station, Shillong. Reports of several coal miner deaths in the recent past, especially in East Jaintia Hills district, have been dismissed by police as ‘rumour’.”
Moreover, these reports could not be independently verified and one of the reasons being the victim’s family fearing backlash from the powerful illegal coal mining mafia don’t come forward and register cases or outrightly refute the deaths.
Katakey was appointed by the Meghalaya High Court in April, 2022 to monitor coal mining and transportation issues in the State.
Moreover, the Katakey was also asked to recommend measures to the State government in compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had banned the hazardous rat-hole coal mining in April 2014. So far, the committee has submitted 34 reports to the high court.