At least eight individuals were hospitalized in Shillong due to burn injuries from a dynamite blast at an unauthorized coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. Seven of the victims are receiving treatment at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, while one is at Nazareth Hospital. The injured, including Shanki Shylla, Deb Malakar, Korna, Bom Magar, Lalit Magar, Jamil Ahmed, and Nor Bahadur, have sustained second-degree burns and are currently under medical care.
Following the explosion that claimed 25 lives, two individuals suspected to be the mine owners were arrested by the police in connection with the incident at Thangsko area. The identities of the arrested persons have not been disclosed yet, pending their court appearance. The tragic incident has once again brought attention to the persistent illegal coal mining activities in the region despite court orders against such practices.
In response to the deadly explosion, the High Court has ordered immediate arrests related to the incident and expressed concern over the ongoing illegal mining operations despite previous fatal incidents. The court directed the district administration and police to swiftly apprehend the mine owners, operators, and all involved in the illicit mining activities. It also mandated the seizure of all equipment and documents linked to the unauthorized mining operations.
