Illegal Coal Mining Under Scanner: 14 Held, Prime Accused Arrested in Deadly Meghalaya Mine Blast

In a notable escalation of enforcement against illegal coal mining, police in East Jaintia Hills arrested 14 people, including seven linked to the deadly February 5 explosion at an illegal coal mine in Mynsngat-Thangsko, which resulted in 31 fatalities. This action is part of a targeted 45-day crackdown initiated on January 1, 2026, following directives from the National Green Tribunal, aiming to address the ongoing hazards posed by unregulated rat-hole mining in the area.

Among those arrested, the seven suspects connected to the explosion include Forme Chyrmang, Shamehi War, Process Phawa, Tensing Suchiang, Yoomiki Syih, Ernest Swer, and Rangsing Syiemlieh (alias Mithun), with Swer and Syiemlieh remaining in custody as investigations are underway. The other seven arrests pertain to three different cases: Sahanaj Uddin and Abansan Syrti in the Umthe case, Narayan Majumdar, Salim Uddin Choudhury, and Safrul Islam Choudhury in the Umpleng case, and Rishna Sutnga and Skhemborlang Kshiar in the Umkiang case.

A total of 62 First Information Reports (FIRs) regarding illegal coal extraction have been filed in the district, including five that predate the Mynsngat-Thangsko incident. Additionally, five FIRs address illegal coal transportation, while two are related to the seizure of explosives utilized in mining operations.

Throughout the crackdown, authorities confiscated around 15,224.72 metric tonnes of coal (with more quantities currently under evaluation by the Department of Mineral Resources), five vehicles, 25.5 kg of gelatin sticks, and 74 detonators. In light of the tragedy and persistent violations, the Meghalaya government has appointed Justice R. S. Chauhan as Chairman of a Judicial Inquiry Commission to investigate the explosion and illegal mining practices in the state. Simultaneously, the Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a thorough examination of the blast.

These arrests and confiscations underscore the authorities’ intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, in response to increasing calls for enhanced regulation and accountability to avert further fatalities in Meghalaya’s coal belt. Ongoing investigations are being maintained, as reported by officials.