Meghalaya police constitutes SIT to probe coal mine explosion

Meghalaya police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the illegal coal mine explosion which led to the death of 30 mine workers in East Jaintia Hills district, officials said on Friday.
The tragic mining accident occurred on February 5 morning at Mynsngat–Thangsko area.
“In view of the recent coal mine accident that occurred at Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat and in order to ensure a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation into the circumstances leading to the incident, State Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang stated in her order.
The nine-member SIT will be headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Eastern Range) Vivekanand Singh Rathore.
Nongrang directed the SIT to ascertain the cause and circumstances leading to the mining blast, to conduct a comprehensive investigation intot he mining accident at Thangsko and to identify violations of Court’s order/NGT directions relating to illegal mining activities.
“The SIT will also ensure that the investigation is carried out in a time-bound manner so as to bring the case to its logical conclusion and ensure delivery of justice in accordance with law,” Nongrang stated in her order. On February 9, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced to constitute a judicial inquiry commission to probe the illegal coal mining tragedy at Mynsngat–Thangsko area.
Moreover, the division bench of the Meghalaya High Court had on February 9 directed the state government to submit a detail report within ten days related to the illegal coal mining and arrest persons involved in connection with the Mynsngat-Thangkso blast. The bench comprising Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh warned that accountability would be fixed, if necessary further orders would be passed for institution of a proper investigation and inquiry, by an independent or central agency.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu of the dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine, while the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Meghalaya Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report on the death of mine workers.