Meghalaya High Court Takes Suo Motu Action on Coal Mine Tragedy, Orders Arrests
The Meghalaya High Court has taken a strong stance against the ongoing illegal coal mining operations in the state, taking suo motu cognizance of a recent disaster in East Jaintia Hills. The court has expressed deep concern over the recovery of 25 bodies from the site and has issued stringent directives to district authorities.
Court Criticizes Authorities for Inaction
A bench comprising Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh pulled up the district civil and police authorities for their failure to prevent illegal mining activities. The judges noted with dismay that these operations have continued despite a previous incident on January 14, 2026, which claimed the life of a 48-year-old laborer from Assam in Thangkso under Khliehriat police station.
"It is not understood as to how illegal coal mining is continuing in this area in spite of the reported loss of life of one person," the bench observed in its order.
Immediate Arrests and Seizure Orders
The court has ordered the immediate arrest of mine owners and operators involved in the illegal activities. Additionally, it has directed the seizure of all machinery, documents, and other materials connected with the mining operations. The district deputy commissioner and superintendent of police have been summoned to appear before the court on February 9 to provide detailed accounts of the actions taken and explain why the situation has been allowed to persist.
Ongoing Judicial Scrutiny
The court's directives were issued during the hearing of its ongoing suo motu case on illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, which was initiated in 2022. The bench took judicial notice of media reports indicating that an explosion in three illegal coal mines in Thangkso had resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
"This court has come to learn from various electronic media reports that there has been a mining tragedy again in Thangkso in East Jaintia Hills," the judges noted.
Background of Legal Bans and Committees
Coal mining activities in Meghalaya were declared illegal by the National Green Tribunal in 2014, a ban that was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court in 2019. In response to these rulings, the high court established a committee in 2022 headed by retired Gauhati High Court judge BP Katakey to assess compliance with the directives from the Supreme Court and NGT.
The Katakey committee, in its 35th Interim Report submitted on January 17, identified East Jaintia Hills district as the most severely affected area in terms of illegal coal mining activities.
Government Actions and Future Steps
Meanwhile, the state government has submitted a status report to the court regarding the illegal mining site at Kremlangshait Forest in Lumbangla, East Jaintia Hills. The report outlines several measures taken, including:
- Dismantling of machinery used in illegal mining operations
- Destruction of makeshift camps established by miners
- Barricading of the mining site to prevent further unauthorized access
The court's intervention highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of existing bans and accountability measures to prevent further loss of life in the region's illegal mining operations.
