Retired judge to lead probe into Meghalaya coal mine blast that killed 31
Retired judge to lead probe into Meghalaya coal mine blast that killed 31
Retired judge to head judicial probe into blast at Meghalaya's illegal coal mine
Shillong: A three-member judicial panel has been formed to probe the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills, which left 31 people dead. The panel is headed by retired high court judge Justice RS Chauhan, who previously served as chief justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana high courts. The other members are former IPS officer H Nongpluh and former IAS officer PS Dkhar. The commission has been set up under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1952 and is tasked with a comprehensive fact-finding exercise, identifying acts or omissions by authorities, and examining whether any lapses contributed to the disaster.
It will also fix accountability and look at possible exemptions to central mining laws under the constitutional framework. Beyond assigning blame, the commission will examine the root causes of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, review the working conditions of labourers, and propose remedial measures, administrative reforms and financial rehabilitation schemes for those affected by the National Green Tribunal's 2014 ban on coal mining. The commission may submit its report embodying the findings and recommendations to the State Government within six months from the date of the notification.
The Chief Minister had announced the judicial inquiry on February 9, and the government has already initiated related administrative changes. Separately, East Jaintia Hills SP Vikash Kumar has been transferred to head the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, with PK Rasgania being installed as the new SP of East Jaintia Hills. Meghalaya continues to grapple with the challenges posed by illegal rat-hole mining, underscoring calls for stronger oversight and reform in the sector.
