SHILLONG, FEB 9: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar to submit a detailed report within 10 days on actions taken against illegal mining, including seizures, arrests, and measures to curb rat-hole mining at Mynsngat-Thangkso following the explosion, which claimed 27 lives and left 9 injured on February 5.
“A Status Report with regard to the steps taken after the blast at Thangsko has been placed before this Court, and what has been highlighted is the shortage of personnel, apart from the steps taken of registering a case and arrest of 2 persons. This Court at this stage will not pass any detailed orders but directs for a detailed report to be filed within 10(ten) days as to the further steps taken in the entire District with regard to the illegal mining sites, seizure of illegal mining equipment and arrest of persons involved in the illegal Rat-hole mining, especially at Mynsngat-Thangsko. Further orders will be passed with regard to the award of further compensation, after the report is received,” the division bench headed by Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh said in its order passed on Monday (February 9).
The authorities have been directed to include details of investigation into a January 14 incident at Thangsko, where a labourer from Assam was killed, in their report.
A Thirty-Sixth Interim Report has also been filed by Justice BP Katakey Committee, who has visited the accident site at Mynsngat-Thangsko along with photographs and information received relating to casualties in the incident.
The report revealed widespread illegal mining in areas like Mopala and Sakhain villages, despite court orders.
“The report is distressing and reflects the dereliction in the discharge of duties by the authorities concerned,”the bench said.
It further warned, “This Court makes it clear that accountability will be fixed, and if necessary further orders will be passed for institution of a proper investigation and inquiry, by an independent or
central agency.”
The bench further directed the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to remain present on the next hearing fixed on February 19.
By Our Reporter
