Echoes of devastation from a massive explosion in an illicit Meghalaya coal mine have reverberated to the High Court, which now demands arrests of those responsible for 18 deaths in East Jaintia Hills. The Thangskhu tragedy fuels outrage over unchecked illegal extraction.
Division bench Justices H.S. Thangkhul and W. Diengdoh, seizing on media alerts, voiced deep dismay at mining’s continuation after January 14’s deadly prelude. This defiance mocks national bans and judicial oversight, the court asserted.
Urgent commands target district officials: round up mine bosses, handlers, and workers forthwith. Impound gear, files, and contraband. Deliver swift succor to the wounded and bereaved. February 9 court date looms for DC and SP, bearing reports on enforcement, takedowns, and barriers erected against recidivism.
Explanations are due on permitting hazards amid known risks and laws. CM Conrad Sangma vowed rigorous investigation, accountability, and unyielding legal repercussions. ‘Human life trumps all; safety paramount,’ he affirmed.
Meghalaya’s mining scourge claims victims routinely in shadowy, unregulated depths. This high court salvo aims to dismantle the nexus, but sustained vigilance is key to transforming rhetoric into lasting safeguards.