Shillong: The death toll in the illegal coal mine blast in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district rose to 27 on Saturday after two more bodies were recovered from the site, police said.
The bodies were found during an ongoing multi-agency search and rescue operation in the Thangsku area of Umsngat village, where the explosion occurred on Thursday.
Authorities said several people are still missing and operations will continue until all victims are accounted for.
Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said efforts are underway to verify the identities of the deceased.
A suo motu FIR has been registered at Khliehriat police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Explosive Substances Act.
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Police confirmed that two persons — Forme Chyrmang (36) of Jalaphet Pordung village and Shamehi War (42) of Sutnga Pohwailong village — have been arrested in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has stepped up political pressure on the government, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
The party held the Chief Minister morally responsible for the dynamite explosion at the illegal coal mine in the Mynsyngat–Thangsko area under Umpleng Police Outpost.
VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said repeated fatalities in coal mine accidents reflect a serious failure of governance and accountability, and called for the chief minister to step down and accept responsibility for the tragedy, which has also left several others injured.
