Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that a total of 33 people have died following a deadly explosion at an illegal coal mining site in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills District, and announced a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the incident and its wider implications.
Making a suo-motu statement in the House, the chief minister said the explosion occurred on February 5, 2026, at an illegal mining site, triggering large-scale search and rescue operations involving the district administration, police, SDRF, NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services and medical teams.
Eighteen bodies were recovered on the first day, followed by four on February 6 and two on February 7.
Eight injured persons were rescued, but four later succumbed to their injuries at NEIGRIHMS in Shillong and Agie Hospital in Beltola, Guwahati.
Two additional deaths reported by families were later verified by authorities, taking the total toll to 33 as of February 16.
The chief minister said ex-gratia relief has begun, with Rs. 24 lakh already disbursed to the families of eight deceased victims, while the process of compensating the remaining families is underway.
Search and rescue operations were formally closed on February 9 after consultations with all rescue agencies.
A suo-motu FIR has been registered in connection with the incident at Khliehriat Police Station, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the DIG (Eastern Range) has been constituted to investigate the case.
Seven persons have been arrested so far in connection with the blast.
The government has also intensified its crackdown on illegal coal mining and transportation across East Jaintia Hills.
A district task force led by the Deputy Commissioner is monitoring enforcement operations, which include seizures of illegally mined coal, recovery of explosives, registration of FIRs, arrests, dismantling of cranes and machinery, and promulgation of prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
According to official data placed in the House, 62 FIRs related to illegal coal extraction have been registered so far, along with five FIRs for illegal transportation of coal and two for explosives-related cases.
A total of 15,224.72 metric tonnes of coal have been seized, six cranes dismantled, and six vehicles confiscated.
Authorities have also begun deploying drones to monitor illegal mining activities.
Preliminary findings indicate that the explosion was likely caused by the use of explosive substances during illegal mining operations, with unstable underground conditions posing severe risks to both miners and rescue personnel.
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The chief minister further announced the constitution of a Judicial Enquiry Commission under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, notified on February 14, 2026.
The commission will be headed by Justice (Retd.) R. S. Chauhan, former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts, with former IPS officer H. Nongpluh and former IAS officer Peter Dkhar as members.
The commission has been given six months to submit its report.
Its mandate includes probing the circumstances of the February 5 incident, fixing responsibility for lapses, examining the root causes of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, suggesting institutional and administrative reforms, recommending rehabilitation and financial support measures for affected workers, and exploring legal options in view of traditional mining practices and existing central laws.
The chief minister told the House that the state government remains committed to curbing illegal mining while moving towards regulated, scientific mining, with several proposals already approved and more pending clearance with the Government of India.
The findings of the judicial commission, he said, will be placed before the Assembly after completion of the inquiry.
