New Delhi: India’s National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a deadly explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district and issued notices to the Central government, the Meghalaya government, and other concerned authorities.
The tribunal acted after taking note of a media report titled “18 Killed in Explosion at Illegal Coal Mine in Meghalaya”, which highlighted one of the deadliest mining accidents in the region since July 2021. The blast reportedly claimed the lives of at least 18 miners, while several others were feared trapped inside the mine.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with expert member A. Senthil Vel, observed that the incident occurred in a rat-hole coal mine operating illegally despite a long-standing ban on such mining practices. According to the report, the explosion, suspected to have been caused by dynamite, took place around 11 a.m. in the Thangsko area.
The tribunal noted that rat-hole mining had been banned by the NGT in April 2014 due to its hazardous nature, a decision that was later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2021. Despite this, illegal mining activities allegedly continue with the support of influential individuals, the report said.
The Meghalaya government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹3 lakh (approximately USD 3,600) for the families of each deceased worker. Police have registered a suo motu FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), the Mines Act, and the Explosives Act, and an investigation has been ordered.
The NGT observed that the incident reflects serious non-compliance with its earlier orders and violations of key environmental laws, including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Calling the matter grave and of significant environmental concern, the tribunal has made the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Integrated Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Shillong), and the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills respondents in the case.
All respondents have been directed to file their replies through affidavits at least one week before the next hearing. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on May 19.