Shillong: Meghalaya Police has constituted an SIT to probe the dynamite explosion in an illegal coal mine that claimed 31 lives in East Jaintia Hills district on Feb 5.The mishap occurred in the Mynsngat-Thangsko area, prompting immediate action from the state police. “In view of the recent coal mine accident that occurred at Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, and in order to ensure a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation into the circumstances leading to the incident, an SIT has been constituted with immediate effect,” state DGP Idashisha Nongrang said in her order issued on Friday.
The nine-member SIT will be headed by deputy inspector general of police (eastern range) Vivekanand Singh Rathore. The team has been tasked with ascertaining the cause of the blast, conducting a comprehensive investigation into the mining accident, and identifying violations of court orders and National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions relating to illegal mining. Nongrang directed that the probe be carried out in a time-bound manner to ensure justice.Chief minister Conrad K Sangma had earlier announced the formation of a judicial inquiry commission to investigate one of the deadliest coal mine accidents in the state.Meanwhile, on Feb 9, the Meghalaya high court directed the govt to submit a detailed report within ten days on illegal coal mining and to arrest those responsible for the blast. The division bench, comprising Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, warned that accountability would be fixed and necessary orders passed for an independent or central agency inquiry if required.Search and rescue operations at the site were called off on Feb 9.
